N-phenylpyrazole derivatives as pesticides

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to bis-5-pyrazolyl derivatives of formula (I) or salts thereof: wherein the various symbols are as defined in the description, to processes for their preparation, to compositions thereof, and to their use for the control of pests (including arthropods and helminths).

This application is a continuation-in-part application of international patent application Serial No. PCT/EP2005/006324 filed Jun. 14, 2005, which published as PCT Publication No. WO 2006/000313 on Jan. 5, 2006, which claims benefit of European patent application Serial No. 04015064.1 filed Jun. 26, 2004.

The foregoing applications, and all documents cited therein or during their prosecution (“appln cited documents”) and all documents cited or referenced in the appln cited documents, and all documents cited or referenced herein (“herein cited documents”), and all documents cited or referenced in herein cited documents, together with any manufacturer's instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the invention. Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention. It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. The embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein or are obvious from and encompassed by, the detailed description. The detailed description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to novel bis-5-pyrazolyl derivatives, processes for their preparation, to compositions thereof, and to their use for the control of pests (including arthropods and helminths).

The control of insects, arachnids and helminths with 1-arylpyrazole compounds has been described in, for example, patent publication numbers WO 87/03781, EP 0295117 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,308.

However, since modern pesticides must meet a wide range of demands, for example regarding level, duration and spectrum of action, use spectrum, toxicity, combination with other active substances, combination with formulation auxiliaries or synthesis, and since the occurrence of resistances is possible, the development of such substances can never be regarded as concluded, and there is constantly a high demand for novel compounds which are advantageous over the known compounds, at least as far as some aspects are concerned.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new pesticides which may be used in domestic companion animals.

It is advantageous to apply pesticides to animals in oral form so as to prevent the possible contamination of humans or the surrounding environment.

Another object of the invention is to provide new pesticides which may be used in lower dose than existing pesticides.

Another object of the invention is to provide new pesticides which are substantially non-emetic.

Another object of the invention is to provide new pesticides which are safer to the user and the environment.

These objects are met in whole or in part by the present invention.

The present invention provides a compound which is a bis-5-pyrazolyl derivative of formula (I):

wherein:

-   R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃, CF₃, CSNH₂ or     C(═N-Z)-S(O)_(r)-Q; -   W and W₁ are each independently N or C—R⁵; -   R², R^(2a) and R⁵ are each independently halogen, CH₃ or NR⁶R⁷; -   R³ and R^(3a) are each independently (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy or SF₅; -   R⁴ and R^(4a) are each independently (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl,     (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl or (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl; -   A is NR³—Y—NR⁹, NR^(8a)—CO—CO—NR⁹, NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a)     NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a), NR¹⁰—C(═X)—NR¹¹, or a formula (E):

or a formula (F):

-   M is Y, CO—Y¹—CO, CO—O—Y¹—O—CO, CO—CO, C(═X), S, S₂, SO or SO₂; -   R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl     or (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, which last three mentioned groups are     unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from     the group consisting of halogen, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, R¹², R¹³,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, OR¹² and OR¹³; -   R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently H, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl,     (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl,     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, CO₂—(C₃-C₆)-alkenyl,     CO₂—(C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, CO₂—(CH₂)_(m)R¹², CO₂—(CH₂)_(m)R¹³, CHO,     CO—(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, COR¹², COR¹³, SO₂R¹⁴, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or     CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last two mentioned groups are unsubstituted     or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; -   R^(8a) and R^(9a) are each independently H, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl,     (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl,     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is     unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl,     (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl,     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is     unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; -   Y is (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene, (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene or (C₄-C₁₈)-alkynylene,     which groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁶     radicals, and in which 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-adjacent chain atoms are     optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from NR¹⁷, O and     S(O)_(n), with the proviso that said heteroatom is not the terminal     atom of the Y moiety; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v),     which cycloalkylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one     or more halogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radicals; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which     phenylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-heteroarylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which     heteroarylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and     oxo; or S, S₂, SO or SO₂; -   Y¹ is Y with the exclusion of S, S₂, SO or SO₂; or     (C₁-C₆)-alkylene-CO—O—(C₁-C₆)-alkylene-O—CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkylene; -   X is O or S; -   R¹² is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals     selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂,     S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; -   R¹³ is heterocyclyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and     oxo; -   R¹⁴ is (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl,     (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, R¹² or R¹³; or is     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵     radicals; -   R¹⁵ is halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy,     (C₃-C₆)-alkenyloxy, (C₃-C₆)-haloalkenyloxy, (C₃-C₆)-alkynyloxy,     (C₃-C₆)-haloalkynyloxy, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(p)R²¹, CN, NO₂,     OH, R¹², R¹³, COR¹⁹, NR¹⁹R²⁰, OR¹²OR¹³, CO₂H or CO₂R¹⁸; -   R¹⁶ is halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl,     (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl,     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹²     or (CH₂)_(q)R¹³; -   R¹⁷ is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl; -   R¹⁸ is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl; -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-haloalkenyl,     (C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl; or -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together with the attached N atom form a five- or     six-membered saturated ring which optionally contains an additional     hetero atom in the ring which is selected from O, S and N, the ring     being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected     from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl and     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl; -   R²¹ is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl,     (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl,     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹²     or (CH₂)_(q)R¹³; -   Z is H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkenyl,     (C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹², COR¹⁸, CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or SO₂R¹⁸; -   Q is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or CH₂R¹²; -   n, p, r and s are each independently zero, one or two; -   m, q, u and v are each independently zero or one; -   t is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and -   each heterocyclyl in the above-mentioned radicals is independently a     heterocyclic radical having 3 to 7 ring atoms and 1, 2 or 3 hetero     atoms in the ring selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; -   or a pesticidally acceptable salt thereof.

These compounds possess valuable pesticidal properties.

The invention also encompasses any stereoisomer, enantiomer or geometric isomer, and mixtures thereof.

By the term “pesticidally acceptable salts” is meant salts the anions or cations of which are known and accepted in the art for the formation of salts for pesticidal use. Suitable salts with bases, e.g. formed by compounds of formula (I) containing a carboxylic acid group, include alkali metal (e.g. sodium and potassium), alkaline earth metal (e.g. calcium and magnesium), ammonium and amine (e.g. diethanolamine, triethanolamine, octylamine, morpholine and dioctylmethylamine) salts. Suitable acid addition salts, e.g. formed by compounds of formula (I) containing an amino group, include salts with inorganic acids, for example hydrochlorides, sulphates, phosphates and nitrates and salts with organic acids for example acetic acid.

The expression “one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of” in the definition is to be understood as meaning in each case one or more identical or different radicals selected from the stated group of radicals, unless specific limitations are defined expressly.

In the present specification, including the accompanying claims, the aforementioned substituents have the following meanings:

Halogen atom means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

The term “halo” before the name of a radical means that this radical is partially or completely halogenated, that is to say, substituted by F, Cl, Br, or I, in any combination, preferably by F or Cl.

Alkyl groups and portions thereof (unless otherwise defined) may be straight- or branched-chain.

The expression “(C₁-C₆)-alkyl” is to be understood as meaning an unbranched or branched hydrocarbon radical having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, such as, for example a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 1-butyl, 2-butyl, 2-methylpropyl or tert-butyl radical.

Alkyl radicals and also in composite groups, unless otherwise defined, preferably have 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

“(C₁-C₆)Haloalkyl” means an alkyl group mentioned under the expression “(C₁-C₆)alkyl” in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by the same number of identical or different halogen atoms, such as monohaloalkyl, perhaloalkyl, CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂F, CHFCH₃, CF₃CH₂, CF₃CF₂, CHF₂CF₂, CH₂FCHCl, CH₂Cl, CCl₃, CHCl₂ or CH₂CH₂Cl.

“(C₁-C₆)Alkoxy” means an alkoxy group whose carbon chain has the meaning given under the expression “(C₁-C₆)alkyl”. “Haloalkoxy” is, for example, OCF₃, OCHF₂, OCH₂F, CF₃CF₂O, OCH₂CF₃ or OCH₂CH₂Cl.

“(C₂-C₆)Alkenyl” means an unbranched or branched non-cyclic carbon chain having a number of carbon atoms which corresponds to this stated range and which contains at least one double bond which can be located in any position of the respective unsaturated radical. “(C₂-C₆)Alkenyl” accordingly denotes, for example, the vinyl, allyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 2-butenyl, pentenyl, 2-methylpentenyl or the hexenyl group.

“(C₂-C₆)Alkynyl” means an unbranched or branched non-cyclic carbon chain having a number of carbon atoms which corresponds to this stated range and which contains one triple bond which can be located in any position of the respective unsaturated radical. “(C₂-C₆)Alkynyl” accordingly denotes, for example, the propargyl, 1-methyl-2-propynyl, 2-butynyl or 3-butynyl group.

Cycloalkyl groups preferably have from three to seven carbon atoms in the ring and are optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl.

The expression “(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl” means a (C₁-C₆)alkyl group which is substituted by a (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl ring.

In compounds of formula (I) the following examples of radicals are provided:

An example of alkyl substituted by cycloalkyl is cyclopropylmethyl;

-   an example of alkyl substituted by alkoxy is methoxymethyl     (CH₂OCH₃); and -   an example of alkyl substituted by alkylthio is methylthiomethyl     (CH₂SCH₃).

The expression “(C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene” is to be understood as meaning an unbranched chain alkanediyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, according to the IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry 1979, for example —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—

The expression “(C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene” is to be understood as meaning an unbranched chain alkenediyl group having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms, according to the IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry 1979, for example —CH₂CH═CHCH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH═CHCH₂—

The expression “(C₄-C₁₈)-alkynylene” is to be understood as meaning an unbranched chain alkynediyl group having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms, according to the IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry 1979, for example but-2-yn-1,4-diyl or pent-2-yn-1,5-diyl.

A “heterocyclyl” group can be saturated, unsaturated or heteroaromatic; it preferably contains one or more, in particular 1, 2 or 3, hetero atoms in the heterocyclic ring, preferably selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; it is preferably an aliphatic heterocyclyl radical having 3 to 7 ring atoms or a heteroaromatic radical having 5 to 7 ring atoms. The heterocyclic radical can be, for example, a heteroaromatic radical or ring (heteroaryl) such as, for example, a mono-, bi- or polycyclic aromatic system in which at least 1 ring contains one or more hetero atoms, for example pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl and triazolyl, or it is a partially or fully hydrogenated radical such as oxiranyl, oxetanyl, oxolanyl (=tetrahydrofuryl), oxanyl, pyrrolidyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, dioxolanyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl and morpholinyl. The “heterocyclyl” group may be unsubstituted or substituted, preferably by one or more radicals (preferably 1, 2 or 3 radicals) selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, carboxyl, cyano, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, formyl, carbamoyl, mono- and dialkylaminocarbonyl, substituted amino such as acylamino, mono- and dialkylamino, and alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, alkyl and haloalkyl, and additionally also oxo. The oxo group can also be present at those hetero ring atoms where various oxidation numbers are possible, for example in the case of N and S.

The expression “(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene” is to be understood as meaning a 3 to 7 membered saturated carbocyclic diyl ring, such as a cyclopropylene (cycloprop-1,2-diyl) or a cyclohexylene (cyclohex-1,2-diyl, cyclohex-1,3-diyl or cyclohex-1,4-diyl) radical.

The expression “[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v)” is meant to include groups such as —CH₂-cyclopropylene-CH₂—, —CH₂-cyclopropylene- and -cyclopropylene-.

The expression “phenylene” is to be understood as meaning a phenyl diyl ring, such as a 1,2-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene or 1,4-phenylene radical.

The expression “[(C₁-C₃)-alkylened]_(u)-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene],” is meant to include groups such as —CH₂-(1,2-phenylene)-CH₂—, —CH₂-(1,3-phenylene)-CH₂—, —CH₂-(1,4-phenylene)-CH₂—, —CH₂-(1,2-phenylene)-, —CH₂-(1,3-phenylene)-, —CH₂-(1,4-phenylene)-, 1,2-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene and 1,4-phenylene.

The expression “heteroarylene” is to be understood as meaning a heteroaryl diyl ring, such as a 2,3-pyrid-diyl or 2,6-pyrid-diyl radical.

The expression “[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-heteroarylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v)” is meant to include groups such as —CH₂-(2,3-pyrid-diyl)-CH₂—, —CH₂-(2,6-pyrid-diyl)-CH₂—, —CH₂-(2,3-pyrid-diyl)-, —CH₂-(2,6-pyrid-diyl), 2,3-pyrid-diyl and 2,6-pyrid-diyl.

It is to be understood that formulae (E) and (F) are bonded to the unattached N atoms.

The term pests means arthropod pests (including insects and arachnids), and helminths (including nematodes).

In the following preferred definitions it is generally to be understood that where symbols are not specifically defined they are to be as previously defined in the description.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention each pair of corresponding substituents R¹ and R^(1a), R² and R^(2a), R³ and R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a), W and W₁ and n and s has the same value, so that the preferred compounds of formula (I) have identically substituted pyrazole rings.

Preferably R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN or CSNH₂ (more preferably R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN).

Preferably W and W₁ are each independently C-halogen (more preferably W and W₁ are each C—Cl).

Preferably R² and R^(2a) are each Cl.

Preferably R³ and R^(3a) are each independently CF₃ or OCF₃ (more preferably R³ and R^(3a) are each CF₃).

Preferably R⁴ and R^(4a) are each independently methyl, ethyl or CF₃ (more preferably R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃).

Preferably A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹, NR^(8a)—CO—CO—NR^(9a), NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a), NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a) or NR¹⁰—C(═X)—NR¹¹; or a formula (F):

wherein M is Y, CO—Y¹—CO, CO—O—Y¹—O—CO, CO—CO, C(═X), S, S₂, SO or SO₂.

Preferably R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently H, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, CO₂—(C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, CO₂—(C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, CO₂—(CH₂)_(m)R¹², CHO, CO—(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, COR¹², COR¹³, SO₂R¹⁴, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last two mentioned groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals (more preferably R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last two mentioned groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals).

Preferably R^(8a) and R^(9a) are each independently H, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals (more preferably R^(8a) and R^(9a) are each independently H, or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁴ radicals).

Preferably R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals (more preferably R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently (C₁-C₆)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals).

Preferably Y and Y¹ are each independently (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene or (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene, which groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁶ radicals, and in which 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-adjacent chain atoms are optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from NR¹⁷, O and S(O)_(n), with the proviso that said heteroatom is not the terminal atom of the Y moiety; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which cycloalkylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radicals; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene],-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]^(v), which phenylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-heteroarylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which heteroarylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and oxo; or S, S₂, SO or SO₂.

Preferably X is O.

A preferred class of compounds of formula (I) are those in which:

-   R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; -   W is and W₁ are each C-halogen; -   R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; -   R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; -   A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹, or a formula (F):

M is Y, CO—Y¹—CO, CO—O—Y¹—O—CO, CO—CO, C(═X), S, S₂, SO or SO₂;

-   R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently H, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl,     CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, CO₂—(C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, CO₂—(C₂-C₆)-alkynyl,     CO₂—(CH₂)_(m)R¹², CHO, CO—(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, COR¹², COR¹³, SO₂R¹⁴,     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last two mentioned groups     are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; -   R^(8a) and R^(9a) are each independently H, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is unsubstituted or     substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or     CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last two mentioned groups are unsubstituted     or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; -   Y and Y¹ are each independently (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene or     (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene, which groups are unsubstituted or substituted     by one or more R¹⁶ radicals, and in which 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-adjacent     chain atoms are optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from     NR¹⁷, O and S(O)_(n), with the proviso that said heteroatom is not     the terminal atom of the Y moiety; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v),     which cycloalkylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one     or more halogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radicals; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u), which     phenylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-heteroarylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which     heteroarylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and     oxo;

X is O;

-   R¹² is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals     selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂,     S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; -   R¹³ is heterocyclyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and     oxo; -   R¹⁴ is (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₃)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₃)-haloalkenyl,     (C₂-C₃)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₃)-haloalkynyl, R¹² or R¹³; or is     (C₁-C₃)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵     radicals; -   R¹⁵ is halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy,     (C₃-C₄)-alkenyloxy, (C₃-C₄)-haloalkenyloxy, (C₃-C₄)-alkynyloxy,     (C₃-C₄)-haloalkynyloxy, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(p)R²¹, CN, NO₂,     OH, R¹², R¹³, COR¹⁹, NR¹⁹R²⁰, OR¹²OR¹³CO₂H or CO₂R¹. -   R¹⁶ is halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyl,     (C₂-C₄)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₄)-haloalkynyl,     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹²     or (CH₂)_(q)R¹³; -   R¹⁷ is H or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; -   R¹⁸ and R²¹ are each independently (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl; and -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently H, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₄)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₄)-haloalkenyl,     (C₃-C₄)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; or

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together with the attached N atom form a five- or six-membered saturated ring which optionally contains an additional hetero atom in the ring which selected from O, S and N, the ring being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl and (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl.

A more preferred class of compounds of formula (I) are those in which:

-   R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; -   W is and W₁ are each C—Cl; -   R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; -   R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; -   A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹; -   Y is (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene or (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene, which groups are     unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁶ radicals, and in     which 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-adjacent chain atoms are optionally replaced     by a heteroatom selected from NR¹⁷, O and S(O)_(n), with the proviso     that said heteroatom is not the terminal atom of the Y moiety; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v),     which cycloalkylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one     or more halogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radicals; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene],-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which     phenylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; or     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-heteroarylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which     heteroarylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and     oxo; -   R¹² is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals     selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂,     S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; -   R¹³ is heterocyclyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and     oxo; -   R¹⁴ is (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₃)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₃)-haloalkenyl,     (C₂-C₃)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₃)-haloalkynyl, R¹² or R¹³; or is     (C₁-C₃)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵     radicals; -   R¹⁵ is halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy,     (C₃-C₄)-alkenyloxy, (C₃-C₄)-haloalkenyloxy, (C₃-C₄)-alkynyloxy,     (C₃-C₄)-haloalkynyloxy, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(p)R²¹, CN, NO₂,     OH, R², R¹³COR¹⁹, NR¹⁹R²⁰, OR¹², OR¹ or CO₂R¹⁸; -   R¹⁶ is halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyl,     (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; -   R¹⁷ is H or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; -   R¹⁸ and R²¹ are each independently (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl; and -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently H, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₄)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₄)-haloalkenyl,     (C₃-C₄)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl or     (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; or -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together with the attached N atom form a five- or     six-membered saturated ring which optionally contains an additional     hetero atom in the ring which selected from O, S and N, the ring     being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected     from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl and     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl.

A further more preferred class of compounds of formula (I) are those in which:

-   R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; -   W is and W₁ are each C—Cl; -   R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; -   R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; -   A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹; -   Y is (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene or (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene, which groups are     unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁶ radicals, and in     which 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-adjacent chain atoms are optionally replaced     by a heteroatom selected from NR¹⁷, O and S(O)_(n), with the proviso     that said heteroatom is not the terminal atom of the Y moiety; -   R¹² is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals     selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂,     S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; -   R¹³ is heterocyclyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen,     (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy,     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and     oxo; -   R¹⁴ is R¹² or R¹³; or is (C₁-C₃)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted     by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; -   R¹⁵ is halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy,     (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(p)R²², CN, NO₂, OH, R¹², R¹³, COR¹⁹,     NR¹⁹R²⁰, OR¹², OR¹³ or CO₂R¹⁸; -   R¹⁶, R¹⁸ and R²¹ are each independently (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or     (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl; and -   R¹⁷, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently H or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl.

A further more preferred class of compounds of formula (I) are those in which:

-   R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; -   W is and W₁ are each C—Cl; -   R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; -   R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; -   A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹, NR^(8a)—CO—CO—NR^(9a), NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a)     NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a), NR¹⁰—C(═X)—NR¹¹, or a formula (F):

M is (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene, CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkylene-CO, CO-phenylene-CO, CO—CO, C(═X), S, SO or SO₂;

-   Y is (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene in which 1 or 2 non-adjacent chain atoms are     optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from NR¹⁷, O and     S(O)_(n), with the proviso that said heteroatom is not the terminal     atom of the Y moiety; or is CH₂-phenylene-CH₂; -   Y¹ is (C₁-C₁₀)-alkylene unsubstituted or substituted by one or more     radicals selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy and phenoxy radicals, and in which 1 or 2     non-adjacent chain atoms are optionally replaced by a heteroatom     selected from NR¹⁷, O and S(O)_(n), with the proviso that said     heteroatom is not the terminal atom of the Y moiety; or pyrid-diyl,     (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene,     [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene],-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v) or     (C₁-C₆)-alkylene-CO—O—(C₁-C₆)-alkylene-O—CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkylene; -   R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl; -   R^(8a) and R^(9a) are each independently H, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl or     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is unsubstituted or     substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group     consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, S(O)_(p)R²¹ and phenyl; -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,     which last mentioned group is unsubstituted or substituted by one or     more radicals selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,     S(O)_(p)R²¹, phenyl and NR¹⁹R²⁰; and -   R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently (C₁-C₆)-alkyl.

The compounds of general formula (I) can be prepared by the application or adaptation of known methods (i.e. methods heretofore used or described in the chemical literature.

In the following description of processes when symbols appearing in formulae are not specifically defined, it is understood that they are “as defined above” in accordance with the first definition of each symbol in the specification.

The following processes describe general methods for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) in which the two pyrazole rings are identically substituted (the preferred compounds of the invention), so that each pair of corresponding substituents (R¹ and R^(1a), R² and R^(2a), R³ and R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a), W and W₁ and n and s) has the same value. Where it is desired to prepare compounds of formula (I) in which the two pyrazole rings are substituted differently, the following processes may be adapted, for example, by using the appropriate mixture of pyrazole intermediates of formula (II) or (V), and separating the resulting mixture of products by standard procedures.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (II):

wherein R¹ is CN, CH₃ or CF₃ and the other values are as defined above, with a compound of formula (III): L-CO—O—Y¹—O—CO-L  (III) wherein Y¹ is as defined above and L is a leaving group preferably chlorine. The reaction is generally performed using 2 molar equivalents of the compound of formula (II) per equivalent of (III), in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or pyridine) and an acylation catalyst (such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine), in an inert solvent at a temperature of from 0-100° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined above may also be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (II) above with a compound of formula (IV): HO—Y¹—O—H  (IV) wherein Y¹ is as defined above, in the presence of phosgene and a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine), in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or toluene, at a temperature of from 0-50° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (II) as defined above, with a compound of formula (V): L¹-CO—Y¹—CO-L¹  (V) wherein Y¹ is as defined above and L¹ is a leaving group preferably chlorine, or an alkanoyloxy radical preferably acetoxy. The reaction is generally performed using 2 molar equivalents of the compound of formula (II) per equivalent of (V), in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or pyridine) and an acylation catalyst (such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine), in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or toluene, at a temperature of from 0-100° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹ or a formula (F), and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (VI):

wherein L² is a leaving group preferably halogen (more preferably bromine) and the other values are as defined above, with a compound of formula (VII) or (VIII):

wherein the various values are as defined above. The reaction is generally performed using 2 molar equivalents of the compound of formula (VI) per equivalent of (VII) or (VII), in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine, for example triethylamine or pyridine, in an inert solvent at a temperature of from 20 to 160° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is a formula (F), M is C(═X) and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (IX):

wherein the various values are as defined above, with phosgene or thiophosgene, in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine), in an inert solvent such as dichloromethane or toluene, at a temperature of from 0-50° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is a formula (E) and the other values are as defined above; may be prepared by the reaction of a corresponding compound of formula (I) in which A is NHCH₂CH₂NH and the other values are as defined above, with a compound of formula (X): L³-CO—(CH₂)_(t)—CO-L³  (X) wherein L³ is a leaving group preferably chlorine and t is as defined above. The reaction is generally performed in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or pyridine) and an acylation catalyst (such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine), in an inert solvent at a temperature of from 0-100° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR¹⁰—C(═X)—NR¹¹ and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by alkylating a corresponding compound of formula (I) in which (A) is replaced by NR¹⁰—C(═X)—NH, with a compound of formula (XI): R¹¹-L⁴  (XI) wherein R¹¹ is as defined above and L⁴ is a leaving group preferably chlorine. The reaction is generally performed in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine, for example triethylamine or pyridine, in an inert solvent at a temperature of from 20 to 160° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR¹⁹—C(═X)—NR¹¹ wherein the various values are as defined above, may also be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (XII):

wherein the various values are as defined above, with phosgene or thiophosgene, in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine), in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or toluene, at a temperature of from 0-50° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (II) as defined above, with a compound of formula (XIII): L⁵-CO—CO-L⁵  (XIII) wherein L⁵ is a leaving group preferably chlorine. The reaction is generally performed using 2 molar equivalents of the compound of formula (II) per equivalent of (XIII) in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or pyridine) and an acylation catalyst (such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine), in an inert solvent at a temperature of from 0-100° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR⁸—CH₂—NR⁹, and R⁸, R⁹ and the other values are as defined above, may also be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (XII) as defined above, with formaldehyde or its oligomers (trioxan or paraformaldehyde), in the presence of an acid such as a sulfonic acid (for example 4-toluenesulfonic acid), in an inert solvent such as dichloroethane or toluene, at a temperature of from 0-80° C.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, n and/or s is 1 or 2, and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by oxidising a corresponding compound in which n and/or s is 0 or 1. The oxidation is generally performed using a peracid such as 3-chloroperbenzoic acid in a solvent such as dichloromethane or 1,2-dichloroethane, at a temperature of from 0° C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent.

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CSNH₂, and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CN, with an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydrosulfide, such as lithium, potassium, calcium or preferably sodium hydrosulfide, in an inert solvent for example N,N-dimethylformamide, pyridine, dioxan, tetrahydrofuran, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, methanol or ethanol at a temperature from −35° C. to 50° C. preferably 0° C. to 30° C. Optionally the hydrosulfide may be generated in situ by treatment with H₂S in the presence of an organic base, such as a metal alkoxide or trialkylamine or an inorganic base, such as an alkaline or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or a carbonate, such as sodium, potassium or ammonium carbonate. The use of a metal complexing agent, such as a crown ether, can be of benefit in accelerating the reaction. The reaction of the hydrosulfide salt with the compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CN can also be conducted in a two-phase water/organic solvent system using a phase transfer catalyst such as a crown ether or a tetraalkylammonium salt such as tetra-n-butylammonium bromide or benzyltrimethylammonium chloride. Organic solvents suitable for use in a two-phase system with water include benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, 1-chlorobutane and methyl tertiary-butyl ether.

Alternatively compounds of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CSNH₂, may also be prepared from the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CN, by treatment with the reagent Ph₂PS₂, for example as described in Tet. Lett., 24 (20), 2059 (1983).

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CSNH₂, and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CN, with a bis(trialkylsilyl)sulfide, preferably bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide, in the presence of a base generally an alkali metal alkoxide such as sodium methoxide, in a solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide, at a temperature of from 0° C. to 60° C. The procedure is generally described by Lin, Ku and Shiao in Synthesis 1219 (1992).

According to a further feature of the invention compounds of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is C(═N—H)—S-Q, and Q and the other values are as defined above, may be prepared by the reaction of the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CSNH₂ with an alkylating agent of formula (XIV) or (XV): Q-L⁵  (XIV) Q₃O+BF₄ ⁻  (XV) wherein Q is as defined above and L⁵ is a leaving group, generally halogen and preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine. The reaction is generally performed in the presence of a base, for example an alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, or an alkali metal alkoxide such as potassium tert-butoxide, in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a temperature from 0 to 60° C. Alternatively an alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, or an organic base such as a trialkylamine, for example triethylamine or N,N-diisopropylethylamine may be used, in an inert solvent such as acetone, at a temperature from 0° C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent. When a compound of formula (XV) such as trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate is used as the alkylating agent, the base is preferably an alkali metal bicarbonate such as sodium bicarbonate, the solvent is for example dichloromethane, and the temperature is from 0° C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent.

According to a further feature of the present invention compounds of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is C(═N-Z)-S-Q, Z is as defined above with the exclusion of H, and Q and the other values are as defined in formula (I), may be prepared by the alkylation, acylation or sulfonylation of the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein Z is H, with a compound of formula (XVI): Z-L⁶  (XVI) wherein Z is as defined above with the exclusion of H, and L⁶ is a leaving group. For alkylations, where Z is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkynyl or (CH₂)_(q)R¹², L⁶ is preferably halogen, alkylsulfonyloxy or arylsulfonyloxy (more preferably chlorine, bromine, iodine, methylsulfonyloxy or p-toluenesulfonyloxy). A base is optionally present in the reaction which is generally performed in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxan, acetonitrile, toluene, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, dimethylsulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide, at a temperature of from −30° C. to 200° C., preferably at 20° C. to 100° C. The base is generally an alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide, an alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, an alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate, an alkali metal alkoxide such as sodium methoxide, an alkaline earth metal carbonate such as calcium carbonate, or an organic base such as a tertiary amine, for example triethylamine or ethyldiisopropylamine, or pyridine, or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-en (DBU).

For acylations, where Z is COR¹⁹ or CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (XVI) is preferably an acid halide where L⁶ is preferably chlorine or bromine (more preferably chlorine). A base optionally present in the reaction, which is generally performed using similar bases, solvents and temperatures as employed for the alkylations.

For sulfonylations, where Z is SO₂R¹⁹, (XVI) is preferably a sulfonyl halide where L⁶ preferably chlorine or bromine (more preferably chlorine). A base is optionally present in the reaction, which is generally performed using similar bases, solvents and temperatures as employed for the alkylations.

Intermediate compounds of formula (I) in which (A) is replaced by NR¹⁰—C(═X)—NH, may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (XVII):

wherein the various values are as defined above, with a compound of formula (XVIII):

wherein the various values are as defined above. The reaction is generally operformed in an inert solvent for example toluene at a temperature of from 0° C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent.

Collections of compounds of the formula (I) which can be synthesized by the above mentioned process may also be prepared in a parallel manner, and this may be effected manually or in a semiautomated or fully automated manner. In this case, it possible, for example, to automate the procedure of the reaction, work-up or purification of the products or of the intermediates. In total, this is to be understood as meaning a procedure as is described, for example, by S. H. DeWift in “Annual Reports in Combinatorial Chemistry and Molecular Diversity: Automated Synthesis”, Volume 1, Verlag Escom 1997, pages 69 to 77.

A series of commercially available apparatuses as are offered by, for example, Stem Corporation, Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SE, England or H+P Labortechnik GmbH, Bruckmannring 28, 85764 Oberschleiβheim, Germany or Radleys, Shirehill, Saffron Walden, Essex, England, may be used for the parallel procedure of the reaction and work-up. For the parallel purification of compounds of the formula (I), or of intermediates obtained during the preparation, use may be made, inter alia, of chromatography apparatuses, for example those by ISCO, Inc., 4700 Superior Street, Lincoln, Nebr. 68504, USA.

The apparatuses mentioned lead to a modular procedure in which the individual process steps are automated, but manual operations must be performed between the process steps. This can be prevented by employing semi-integrated or fully integrated automation systems where the automation modules in question are operated by, for example, robots. Such automation systems can be obtained, for example, from Zymark Corporation, Zymark Center, Hopkinton, Mass. 01748, USA.

In addition to what has been described here, compounds of the formula (I) may be prepared in part or fully by solid-phase-supported methods. For this purpose, individual intermediate steps or all intermediate steps of the synthesis or of a synthesis adapted to suit the procedure in question are bound to a synthetic resin. Solid-phase-supported synthesis methods are described extensively in the specialist literature, for example Barry A. Bunin in “The Combinatorial Index”, Academic Press, 1998.

The use of solid-phase-supported synthesis methods permits a series of protocols which are known from the literature and which, in turn, can be performed manually or in an automated manner. For example, the “tea-bag method” (Houghten, U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,211; Houghten et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, 1985, 82, 5131-5135), in which products by IRORI, 11149 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, Calif. 92037, USA, are employed, may be semiautomated. The automation of solid-phase-supported parallel syntheses is performed successfully, for example, by apparatuses by Argonaut Technologies, Inc., 887 Industrial Road, San Carlos, Calif. 94070, USA or MultiSynTech GmbH, Wullener Feld 4, 58454 Witten, Germany.

The preparation of the processes described herein yields compounds of the formula (I) in the form of substance collections which are termed libraries. The present invention also relates to libraries which comprise at least two compounds of the formula (I).

Compounds of formula (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), (XVI), (XVII) and (XVIII) are known or may be prepared by known methods.

Compounds of formula (IX) may be prepared according to methods described in EP 352944.

The following non-limiting Examples illustrate the preparation of the compounds of formula (I).

CHEMICAL EXAMPLES

NMR spectra were run in deuterochloroform unless stated otherwise and chemical shifts are given in ppm.

In the Examples which follow, quantities (also percentages) are weight based, unless stated otherwise.

Example 1 5,5′-{Oxybis[ethane-2,1-diyl(methylimino)]}bis[1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-cyano-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylpyrazole]

A mixture of 1,5-bis-(methylamino)-3-oxapentane (0.15 g, 1.1 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (0.19 g, 1.5 mmol) and 5-bromo-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-cyano-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylpyrazole (0.50 g, 1.0 mmol) in dioxan (10 ml) was heated under reflux for 10 hours. Extractive workup and HPLC separation gave the title product (Compound 03-63, 34 mg); 1H-NMR: 2.93 (3H); 2.97 (2H); 3.42 (2H); 7.85 (2H); 19F-NMR: −64.2; −79.3.

Example 2 N,N′-Bis[3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazol-5-yl]-N,N′-dimethylthiourea

Thiophosgene (0.16 g, 1.4 mmol) was added to a solution of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-cyano-5-methylamino-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole (0.50 g, 1.1 mmol) and triethylamine (0.34 g, 3.3 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (8 ml) at 10° C. After standing overnight, extractive workup and column chromatography the title product was obtained (Compound 01-05, 0.32 g, mp. 118° C.); 1H-NMR: 3.45 and 3.64 (3H); 7.84 (2H); 19F-NMR: −63.9, −72.0 to 72.3 (broad).

Example 3 Propane-1,3-diyl bis{[3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazol-5-yl]methylcarbamate}

A solution of 1,3-propanediol (51 mg, 0.7 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (0.43 g, 3.3 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (27 mg, 0.2 equ) in tetrahydrofuran (7 ml) was added to a solution of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-cyano-5-methylamino-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole (0.5 g, 1.1 mmol) and phosgene-toluene solution (20%, 0.82 ml, phosgene 1.6 mmol) at 0-10° C., then left overnight at 20° C. Extractive workup and column chromatography gave the title product (Compound 06-41, 0.12 g); 1H-NMR: 1.91 (2H); 3.08 (3H); 4.09 (2H); 7.82 (2H); 19F-NMR: −63.9; −72.6 (broad).

Example 4 5,5′-(Carbonyldipiperazin-4,1-diyl)bis[1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-cyano-4-trifluoromethylsulfdnylpyrazole]

A solution of 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl-3-cyano-5-piperazin-1-yl-4-trifluoromethylsulfonylpyrazole (0.3 g, 0.6 mmol) and diisopropylamine (0.22 g, 1.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was mixed with phosgene-toluene solution (20%, 0.21 ml, phosgene 0.4 mmol) at 20° C. and stirred for 18 hours. Extractive workup gave the title product (Compound 08-15, 0.30 g); 1H-NMR: 3.15, 3.22, 3.54 and 3.66 (CH2CH2); 7.87 (2H); 19F-NMR: −64.1; −79.5 ppm.

The following preferred compounds shown in Tables 1 to 8 also form part of the present invention, and were or may be prepared in accordance with, or analogously to, the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 4 or the above-described general methods. Where subscripts are omitted they are intended, for example CH₂ means CH₂. In the Tables Me means methyl, Et means ethyl, C2H4 means ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), C3H6 means propylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), 1,3-CH₂C6H4CH₂ means 1,3-(CH₂-phenyl-CH₂), C2H4NMe2 means —CH₂CH₂—NMe₂, C2H4OCH2OC2H4 means —CH₂CH₂—O—CH₂CH₂—, 1,2-C6H4 means 1,2-phenylene, C2H4COOC2H4OOCC2H4 means —CH₂CH₂—C(═O)O—CH₂CH₂—OC(═O)—CH₂CH₂— and Ph means phenyl.

19F-NMR spectra shift values are given in ppm.

Cpd No means compound number.

Compound numbers are given for reference purposes only.

TABLE 1 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR¹⁰—C(═X)—NR¹¹, and s and n have the same value mp. ° C., Cpd No R¹⁰ C═X R¹¹ s, n NMR(ppm) 01-01 Me CO Me 0 01-02 Me CO Me 1 01-03 Me CO Me 2 01-04 Me CS Me 0 01-05 Me CS Me 1 19F: −63.9; −72.3br 01-06 Me CS Me 2 01-07 Et CO Et 0 01-08 Et CO Et 1 01-09 Et CO Et 2 01-10 Et CS Et 0 01-11 Et CS Et 1 01-12 Et CS Et 2 01-13 CH2CH═CH2 CO CH2CH═CH2 0 01-14 CH2CH═CH2 CO CH2CH═CH2 1 01-15 CH2CH═CH2 CO CH2CH═CH2 2 01-16 CH2CH═CH2 CS CH2CH═CH2 0 01-17 CH2CH═CH2 CS CH2CH═CH2 1 01-18 CH2CH═CH2 CS CH2CH═CH2 2 01-19 CH2Ph CO CH2Ph 0 01-20 CH2Ph CO CH2Ph 1 01-21 CH2Ph CO CH2Ph 2 01-22 CH2Ph CS CH2Ph 0 01-23 CH2Ph CS CH2Ph 1 01-24 CH2Ph CS CH2Ph 2 01-25 CH2CH2OMe CO CH2CH2OMe 0 01-26 CH2CH2OMe CO CH2CH2OMe 1 01-27 CH2CH2OMe CO CH2CH2OMe 2 01-28 CH2CH2OMe CS CH2CH2OMe 0 01-29 CH2CH2OMe CS CH2CH2OMe 1 01-30 CH2CH2OMe CS CH2CH2OMe 2 01-31 CH2CH2SMe CO CH2CH2SMe 0 01-32 CH2CH2SMe CO CH2CH2SMe 1 01-33 CH2CH2SMe CO CH2CH2SMe 2 01-34 CH2CH2SMe CS CH2CH2SMe 0 01-35 CH2CH2SMe CS CH2CH2SMe 1 01-36 CH2CH2SMe CS CH2CH2SMe 2 01-37 C2H4NMe2 CO C2H4NMe2 0 01-38 C2H4NMe2 CO C2H4NMe2 1 01-39 C2H4NMe2 CO C2H4NMe2 2 01-40 C2H4NMe2 CS C2H4NMe2 0 01-41 C2H4NMe2 CS C2H4NMe2 1 01-42 C2H4NMe2 CS C2H4NMe2 2

TABLE 2 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹, and s and n have the same value Cpd No R⁸ Y R⁹ s, n mp. ° C., NMR(ppm) 02-01 H CH2 H 0 02-02 H CH2 H 1 02-03 H CH2 H 2 02-04 H C2H4 H 0 02-05 H C2H4 H 1 02-06 H C2H4 H 2 02-07 H C3H6 H 0 02-08 H C3H6 H 1 02-09 H C3H6 H 2 02-10 H C4H8 H 0 02-11 H C4H8 H 1 02-12 H C4H8 H 2 02-13 H C5H10 H 0 02-14 H C5H10 H 1 02-15 H C5H10 H 2 02-16 H C6H12 H 0 02-17 H C6H12 H 1 02-18 H C6H12 H 2 02-19 H C7H14 H 0 02-20 H C7H14 H 1 02-21 H C7H14 H 2 02-22 H C8H16 H 0 02-23 H C8H16 H 1 02-24 H C8H16 H 2 02-25 H C9H18 H 0 02-26 H C9H18 H 1 02-27 H C9H18 H 2 02-28 H C10H20 H 0 02-29 H C10H20 H 1 02-30 H C10H20 H 2 02-31 H C12H24 H 0 02-32 H C12H24 H 1 02-33 H C12H24 H 2 02-34 H C14H28 H 0 02-35 H C14H28 H 1 02-36 H C14H28 H 2 02-37 H C18H36 H 0 02-38 H C18H36 H 1 02-39 H C18H36 H 2 02-40 Me CH2 Me 0 02-41 Me CH2 Me 1 02-42 Me CH2 Me 2 02-43 Me C2H4 Me 0 02-44 Me C2H4 Me 1 02-45 Me C2H4 Me 2 02-46 Me C3H6 Me 0 02-47 Me C3H6 Me 1 02-48 Me C3H6 Me 2 02-49 Me C4H8 Me 0 02-50 Me C4H8 Me 1 02-51 Me C4H8 Me 2 02-52 Me C5H10 Me 0 02-53 Me C5H10 Me 1 02-54 Me C5H10 Me 2 02-55 Me C6H12 Me 0 02-56 Me C6H12 Me 1 02-57 Me C6H12 Me 2 19F: −64.2; −79.2 02-58 Me C7H14 Me 0 02-59 Me C7H14 Me 1 02-60 Me C7H14 Me 2 02-61 Me C8H16 Me 0 02-62 Me C8H16 Me 1 02-63 Me C8H16 Me 2 19F: −64.2; −79.2 02-64 Me C9H18 Me 0 02-65 Me C9H18 Me 1 02-66 Me C9H18 Me 2 02-67 Me C10H20 Me 0 02-68 Me C10H20 Me 1 02-69 Me C10H20 Me 2 02-70 Me C12H24 Me 0 02-71 Me C12H24 Me 1 02-72 Me C12H24 Me 2 02-73 Me C14H28 Me 0 02-74 Me C14H28 Me 1 02-75 Me C14H28 Me 2 02-76 Me C18H36 Me 0 02-77 Me C18H36 Me 1 02-78 Me C18H36 Me 2 02-79 Me 1,3-CH2C6H4CH2 Me 0 02-80 Me 1,3-CH2C6H4CH2 Me 1 02-81 Me 1,3-CH2C6H4CH2 Me 2 02-82 Me 1,4-CH2C6H4CH2 Me 0 02-83 Me 1,4-CH2C6H4CH2 Me 1 02-84 Me 1,4-CH2C6H4CH2 Me 2

TABLE 3 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹, and s and n have the same value mp. ° C., Cpd No R⁸ Y R⁹ s, n NMR(ppm) 03-01 H CH2OCH2 H 0 03-02 H CH2OCH2 H 1 03-03 H CH2OCH2 H 2 03-04 H CH2SCH2 H 0 03-05 H CH2SCH2 H 1 03-06 H CH2SCH2 H 2 03-07 H CH2NMeCH2 H 0 03-08 H CH2NMeCH2 H 1 03-09 H CH2NMeCH2 H 2 03-10 H C2H4OC2H4 H 0 03-11 H C2H4OC2H4 H 1 03-12 H C2H4OC2H4 H 2 03-13 H C2H4SC2H4 H 0 03-14 H C2H4SC2H4 H 1 03-15 H C2H4SC2H4 H 2 03-16 H C2H4SOC2H4 H 0 03-17 H C2H4SOC2H4 H 1 03-18 H C2H4SOC2H4 H 2 03-19 H C2H4SO2C2H4 H 0 03-20 H C2H4SO2C2H4 H 1 03-21 H C2H4SO2C2H4 H 2 03-22 H C2H4NHC2H4 H 0 03-23 H C2H4NHC2H4 H 1 03-24 H C2H4NHC2H4 H 2 03-25 H C2H4NMeC2H4 H 0 03-26 H C2H4NMeC2H4 H 1 03-27 H C2H4NMeC2H4 H 2 03-28 H C3H6OC3H6 H 0 03-29 H C3H6OC3H6 H 1 03-30 H C3H6OC3H6 H 2 03-31 H C3H6SC3H6 H 0 03-32 H C3H6SC3H6 H 1 03-33 H C3H6SC3H6 H 2 03-34 H C3H6NHC3H6 H 0 03-35 H C3H6NHC3H6 H 1 03-36 H C3H6NHC3H6 H 2 03-37 H C3H6NMeC3H6 H 0 03-38 H C3H6NMeC3H6 H 1 03-39 H C3H6NMeC3H6 H 2 03-40 H C2H4OCH2OC2H4 H 0 03-41 H C2H4OCH2OC2H4 H 1 03-42 H C2H4OCH2OC2H4 H 2 03-43 H C2H4OC2H4OC2H4 H 0 03-44 H C2H4OC2H4OC2H4 H 1 03-45 H C2H4OC2H4OC2H4 H 2 03-46 H C3H6NHCH2NHC3H6 H 0 03-47 H C3H6NHCH2NHC3H6 H 1 03-48 H C3H6NHCH2NHC3H6 H 2 03-49 H C3H6NMeCH2NMeC3H6 H 0 03-50 H C3H6NMeCH2NMeC3H6 H 1 03-51 H C3H6NMeCH2NMeC3H6 H 2 03-52 Me CH2OCH2 Me 0 03-53 Me CH2OCH2 Me 1 03-54 Me CH2OCH2 Me 2 03-55 Me CH2SCH2 Me 0 03-56 Me CH2SCH2 Me 1 03-57 Me CH2SCH2 Me 2 03-58 Me CH2NMeCH2 Me 0 03-59 Me CH2NMeCH2 Me 1 03-60 Me CH2NMeCH2 Me 2 03-61 Me C2H4OC2H4 Me 0 03-62 Me C2H4OC2H4 Me 1 03-63 Me C2H4OC2H4 Me 2 19F: −64.2; −79.3 03-64 Me C2H4SC2H4 Me 0 03-65 Me C2H4SC2H4 Me 1 03-66 Me C2H4SC2H4 Me 2 03-67 Me C2H4SOC2H4 Me 0 03-68 Me C2H4SOC2H4 Me 1 03-69 Me C2H4SOC2H4 Me 2 03-70 Me C2H4SO2C2H4 Me 0 03-71 Me C2H4SO2C2H4 Me 1 03-72 Me C2H4SO2C2H4 Me 2 03-73 Me C2H4NHC2H4 Me 0 03-74 Me C2H4NHC2H4 Me 1 03-75 Me C2H4NHC2H4 Me 2 03-76 Me C2H4NMeC2H4 Me 0 03-77 Me C2H4NMeC2H4 Me 1 03-78 Me C2H4NMeC2H4 Me 2 03-79 Me C3H6OC3H6 Me 0 03-80 Me C3H6OC3H6 Me 1 03-81 Me C3H6OC3H6 Me 2 03-82 Me C3H6SC3H6 Me 0 03-83 Me C3H6SC3H6 Me 1 03-84 Me C3H6SC3H6 Me 2 03-85 Me C3H6NHC3H6 Me 0 03-86 Me C3H6NHC3H6 Me 1 03-87 Me C3H6NHC3H6 Me 2 03-88 Me C3H6NMeC3H6 Me 0 03-89 Me C3H6NMeC3H6 Me 1 03-90 Me C3H6NMeC3H6 Me 2 03-91 Me C2H4OCH2OC2H4 Me 0 03-92 Me C2H4OCH2OC2H4 Me 1 03-93 Me C2H4OCH2OC2H4 Me 2 03-94 Me C2H4OC2H4OC2H4 Me 0 03-95 Me C2H4OC2H4OC2H4 Me 1 03-96 Me C2H4OC2H4OC2H4 Me 2 03-97 Me C3H6NHCH2NHC3H6 Me 0 03-98 Me C3H6NHCH2NHC3H6 Me 1 03-99 Me C3H6NHCH2NHC3H6 Me 2  03-100 Me C3H6NMeCH2NMeC3H6 Me 0  03-101 Me C3H6NMeCH2NMeC3H6 Me 1  03-102 Me C3H6NMeCH2NMeC3H6 Me 2

TABLE 4 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a), and s and n have the same value Cpd No R^(8a) Y¹ R^(9a) s, n mp. ° C., NMR(ppm) 04-01 H CH2 H 0 04-02 H CH2 H 1 04-03 H CH2 H 2 04-04 H C2H4 H 0 04-05 H C2H4 H 1 04-06 H C2H4 H 2 04-07 H C3H6 H 0 04-08 H C3H6 H 1 04-09 H C3H6 H 2 04-10 H C4H8 H 0 04-11 H C4H8 H 1 04-12 H C4H8 H 2 04-13 H 1,2-C6H4 H 0 04-14 H 1,2-C6H4 H 1 04-15 H 1,2-C6H4 H 2 04-16 H 1,3-C6H4 H 0 04-17 H 1,3-C6H4 H 1 04-18 H 1,3-C6H4 H 2 04-19 H 1,4-C6H4 H 0 04-20 H 1,4-C6H4 H 1 04-21 H 1,4-C6H4 H 2 04-22 H 2,3-pyridyl H 0 04-23 H 2,3-pyridyl H 1 04-24 H 2,3-pyridyl H 2 04-25 H 2,4-pyridyl H 0 04-26 H 2,4-pyridyl H 1 04-27 H 2,4-pyridyl H 2 04-28 H 2,5-pyridyl H 0 04-29 H 2,5-pyridyl H 1 04-30 H 2,5-pyridyl H 2 04-31 H 2,6-pyridyl H 0 04-32 H 2,6-pyridyl H 1 04-33 H 2,6-pyridyl H 2 04-34 H 3,5-pyridyl H 0 04-35 H 3,5-pyridyl H 1 04-36 H 3,5-pyridyl H 2 04-37 H 3,4-pyridyl H 0 04-38 H 3,4-pyridyl H 1 04-39 H 3,4-pyridyl H 2 04-40 Me CH2 Me 0 04-41 Me CH2 Me 1 04-42 Me CH2 Me 2 04-43 Me C2H4 Me 0 04-44 Me C2H4 Me 1 04-45 Me C2H4 Me 2 04-46 Me C3H6 Me 0 04-47 Me C3H6 Me 1 04-48 Me C3H6 Me 2 04-49 Me C4H8 Me 0 04-50 Me C4H8 Me 1 04-51 Me C4H8 Me 2 04-52 Me 1,2-C6H4 Me 0 04-53 Me 1,2-C6H4 Me 1 04-54 Me 1,2-C6H4 Me 2 04-55 Me 1,3-C6H4 Me 0 04-56 Me 1,3-C6H4 Me 1 19F: −63.9; −72.1 04-57 Me 1,3-C6H4 Me 2 04-58 Me 1,4-C6H4 Me 0 04-59 Me 1,4-C6H4 Me 1 19F: −63.8; −72.0 04-60 Me 1,4-C6H4 Me 2 04-61 Me 2,3-pyridyl Me 0 04-62 Me 2,3-pyridyl Me 1 04-63 Me 2,3-pyridyl Me 2 04-64 Me 2,4-pyridyl Me 0 04-65 Me 2,4-pyridyl Me 1 04-66 Me 2,4-pyridyl Me 2 04-67 Me 2,5-pyridyl Me 0 04-68 Me 2,5-pyridyl Me 1 04-69 Me 2,5-pyridyl Me 2 04-70 Me 2,6-pyridyl Me 0 04-71 Me 2,6-pyridyl Me 1 19F: −63.9; −72.5br 04-72 Me 2,6-pyridyl Me 2 04-73 Me 3,5-pyridyl Me 0 04-74 Me 3,5-pyridyl Me 1 04-75 Me 3,5-pyridyl Me 2 04-76 Me 3,4-pyridyl Me 0 04-77 Me 3,4-pyridyl Me 1 04-78 Me 3,4-pyridyl Me 2

TABLE 5 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a), and s and n have the same value mp. ° C., Cpd No R^(8a) Y¹ R^(9a) s, n NMR(ppm) 05-01 H CH2OCH2 H 0 05-02 H CH2OCH2 H 1 05-03 H CH2OCH2 H 2 05-04 H CH2SCH2 H 0 05-05 H CH2SCH2 H 1 05-06 H CH2SCH2 H 2 05-07 H CH2SOCH2 H 0 05-08 H CH2SOCH2 H 1 05-09 H CH2SOCH2 H 2 05-10 H CH2SO2CH2 H 0 05-11 H CH2SO2CH2 H 1 05-12 H CH2SO2CH2 H 2 05-13 H CH2NMeCH2 H 0 05-14 H CH2NMeCH2 H 1 05-15 H CH2NMeCH2 H 2 05-16 H C2H4SC2H4 H 0 19F: −43.7; −64.2 05-17 H C2H4SC2H4 H 1 05-18 H C2H4SC2H4 H 2 05-19 H C2H4SOC2H4 H 0 05-20 H C2H4SOC2H4 H 1 05-21 H C2H4SOC2H4 H 2 05-22 H C2H4SO2C2H4 H 0 05-23 H C2H4SO2C2H4 H 1 05-24 H C2H4SO2C2H4 H 2 05-25 Me CH2OCH2 Me 0 05-26 Me CH2OCH2 Me 1 05-27 Me CH2OCH2 Me 2 05-28 Me CH2SCH2 Me 0 05-29 Me CH2SCH2 Me 1 05-30 Me CH2SCH2 Me 2 05-31 Me CH2SOCH2 Me 0 05-32 Me CH2SOCH2 Me 1 05-33 Me CH2SOCH2 Me 2 05-34 Me CH2SO2CH2 Me 0 05-35 Me CH2SO2CH2 Me 1 05-36 Me CH2SO2CH2 Me 2 05-37 Me CH2NMeCH2 Me 0 05-38 Me CH2NMeCH2 Me 1 05-39 Me CH2NMeCH2 Me 2 05-40 Me C2H4SC2H4 Me 0 05-41 Me C2H4SC2H4 Me 1 05-42 Me C2H4SC2H4 Me 2 05-43 Me C2H4SOC2H4 Me 0 05-44 Me C2H4SOC2H4 Me 1 05-45 Me C2H4SOC2H4 Me 2 05-46 Me C2H4SO2C2H4 Me 0 05-47 Me C2H4SO2C2H4 Me 1 05-48 Me C2H4SO2C2H4 Me 2 05-49 Me C2H4COOC2H4OOCC2H4 Me 0 05-50 Me C2H4COOC2H4OOCC2H4 Me 1 05-51 Me C2H4COOC2H4OOCC2H4 Me 2 05-52 Me C2H4COOC3H6OOCC2H4 Me 0 05-53 Me C2H4COOC3H6OOCC2H4 Me 1 19F: −64.3; −72.8 05-54 Me C2H4COOC3H6OOCC2H4 Me 2 05-55 Me C2H4COOC4H8OOCC2H4 Me 0 05-56 Me C2H4COOC4H8OOCC2H4 Me 1 05-57 Me C2H4COOC4H8OOCC2H4 Me 2

TABLE 6 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a), and s and n have the same value Cpd No R^(8a) Y¹ R^(9a) s, n mp. ° C., NMR(ppm) 06-01 H C2H4 H 0 06-02 H C2H4 H 1 06-03 H C2H4 H 2 06-04 H C3H6 H 0 06-05 H C3H6 H 1 06-06 H C3H6 H 2 06-07 H C4H8 H 0 06-08 H C4H8 H 1 06-09 H C4H8 H 2 06-10 H C5H10 H 0 06-11 H C5H10 H 1 06-12 H C5H10 H 2 06-13 H C6H12 H 0 06-14 H C6H12 H 1 06-15 H C6H12 H 2 06-16 H CH2—CH═CH—CH2 H 0 06-17 H CH2—CH═CH—CH2 H 1 06-18 H CH2—CH═CH—CH2 H 2 06-19 H 1,4-cyclohexan-diyl H 0 06-20 H 1,4-cyclohexan-diyl H 1 06-21 H 1,4-cyclohexan-diyl H 2 06-22 H 1,3-cyclohexan-diyl H 0 06-23 H 1,3-cyclohexan-diyl H 1 06-24 H 1,3-cyclohexan-diyl H 2 06-25 H 1,4-C6H4 H 0 06-26 H 1,4-C6H4 H 1 06-27 H 1,4-C6H4 H 2 06-28 H 1,3-C6H4 H 0 06-29 H 1,3-C6H4 H 1 06-30 H 1,3-C6H4 H 2 06-31 H 1,3-CH2—C6H4—CH2 H 0 06-32 H 1,3-CH2—C6H4—CH2 H 1 06-33 H 1,3-CH2—C6H4—CH2 H 2 06-34 H 1,4-CH2—C6H4—CH2 H 0 06-35 H 1,4-CH2—C6H4—CH2 H 1 06-36 H 1,4-CH2—C6H4—CH2 H 2 06-37 Me C2H4 Me 0 06-38 Me C2H4 Me 1 06-39 Me C2H4 Me 2 06-40 Me C3H6 Me 0 06-41 Me C3H6 Me 1 19F: −63.9; −72.6 06-42 Me C3H6 Me 2 06-43 Me C4H8 Me 0 06-44 Me C4H8 Me 1 06-45 Me C4H8 Me 2 06-46 Me C5H10 Me 0 06-47 Me C5H10 Me 1 19F: −64.3; −73.0br 06-48 Me C5H10 Me 2 06-49 Me C6H12 Me 0 06-50 Me C6H12 Me 1 06-51 Me C6H12 Me 2 06-52 Me CH2—CH═CH—CH2 Me 0 06-53 Me CH2—CH═CH—CH2 Me 1 06-54 Me CH2—CH═CH—CH2 Me 2 06-55 Me 1,4-cyclohexan-diyl Me 0 06-56 Me 1,4-cyclohexan-diyl Me 1 06-57 Me 1,4-cyclohexan-diyl Me 2 06-58 Me 1,3-cyclohexan-diyl Me 0 06-59 Me 1,3-cyclohexan-diyl Me 1 06-60 Me 1,3-cyclohexan-diyl Me 2 06-61 Me 1,4-C6H4 Me 0 06-62 Me 1,4-C6H4 Me 1 19F: −63.8; −72.3br 06-63 Me 1,4-C6H4 Me 2 06-64 Me 1,3-C6H4 Me 0 06-65 Me 1,3-C6H4 Me 1 06-66 Me 1,3-C6H4 Me 2 06-67 Me 1,3-CH2—C6H4—CH2 Me 0 06-68 Me 1,3-CH2—C6H4—CH2 Me 1 19F: −63.8; −72.6br 06-69 Me 1,3-CH2—C6H4—CH2 Me 2 06-70 Me 1,4-CH2—C6H4—CH2 Me 0 06-71 Me 1,4-CH2—C6H4—CH2 Me 1 19F: −63.8; −72.5br 06-72 Me 1,4-CH2—C6H4—CH2 Me 2 06-73 Me CH2CH(OMe)CH2 Me 0 06-74 Me CH2CH(OMe)CH2 Me 1 19F: −63.9; −73.0br 06-75 Me CH2CH(OMe)CH2 Me 2 06-76 Me CH2CH(OMe)CH2 Me 0 06-77 Me CH2CH(OEt)CH2 Me 1 06-78 Me CH2CH(OEt)CH2 Me 2 06-79 Me CH2CH(OPh)CH2 Me 0 06-80 Me CH2CH(OPh)CH2 Me 1 06-81 Me CH2CH(OPh)CH2 Me 2 06-82 Me CH2CMe2CH2 Me 0 06-83 Me CH2CMe2CH2 Me 1 06-84 Me CH2CMe2CH2 Me 2

TABLE 7 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR^(8a)—CO—CO—NR^(9a), and s and n have the same value Cpd No R^(8a) R^(9a) s, n mp. ° C., NMR(ppm) 07 01 H H 0 19F: −43.4; −63.9 07 02 H H 1 19F: −63.9; −73.7 07 03 H H 2 07 04 Me Me 0 07 05 Me Me 1 07 06 Me Me 2 07 07 Et Et 0 07 08 Me Me 1 07 09 Me Me 2 07 10 nPr nPr 0 07 11 nPr nPr 1 07 12 nPr nPr 2 07 13 CH2CH═CH2 CH2CH═CH2 0 07 14 CH2CH═CH2 CH2CH═CH2 1 07 15 CH2CH═CH2 CH2CH═CH2 2 07 16 CH2Ph CH2Ph 0 07 17 CH2Ph CH2Ph 1 07 18 CH2Ph CH2Ph 2 07 19 C2H4OMe C2H4OMe 0 07 20 C2H4OMe C2H4OMe 1 07 21 C2H4OMe C2H4OMe 2 07 22 C2H4SMe C2H4SMe 0 07 23 C2H4SMe C2H4SMe 1 07 24 C2H4SMe C2H4SMe 2 07 25 C2H4SOMe C2H4SOMe 0 07 26 C2H4SOMe C2H4SOMe 1 07 27 C2H4SOMe C2H4SOMe 2 07 28 C2H4SO2Me C2H4SO2Me 0 07 29 C2H4SO2Me C2H4SO2Me 1 07 30 C2H4SO2Me C2H4SO2Me 2

TABLE 8 Compounds of Formula (I) in which the substituents have the following meanings: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; W and W₁ are each C—Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is formula (F), and s and n have the same value Cpd No M s, n mp. ° C., NMR(ppm) 08-01 CH2 0 08-02 CH2 1 08-03 CH2 2 08-04 C2H4 0 08-05 C2H4 1 08-06 C2H4 2 08-07 C3H6 0 08-08 C3H6 1 08-09 C3H6 2 08-10 C4H8 0 08-11 C4H8 1 08-12 C4H8 2 08-13 CO 0 08-14 CO 1 08-15 CO 2 19 F.: −64.1; −79.5 08-16 CS 0 08-17 CS 1 08-18 CS 2 08-19 CO—CO 0 08-20 CO—CO 1 08-21 CO—CO 2 19 F.: −64.1; −79.6 08-22 COCH2CO 0 08-23 COCH2CO 1 08-24 COCH2CO 2 08-25 COC2H4CO 0 08-26 COC2H4CO 1 08-27 COC2H4CO 2 08-28 CO-1,3-C6H4—CO 0 08-29 CO-1,3-C6H4—CO 1 08-30 CO-1,3-C6H4—CO 2 08-31 CO-1,4-C6H4—CO 0 08-32 CO-1,4-C6H4—CO 1 08-33 CO-1,4-C6H4—CO 2 08-34 SO 0 08-35 SO 1 08-36 SO 2 08-37 SO2 0 08-38 SO2 1 08-39 SO2 2

According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a method for the control of pests at a locus which comprises applying thereto an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof. For this purpose, the said compound is normally used in the form of a pesticidal composition (i.e. in association with compatible diluents or carriers and/or surface active agents suitable for use in pesticidal compositions), for example as hereinafter described.

The term “compound of the invention” as used hereinafter embraces a bis-5-pyrazolyl derivative of formula (I) as defined above and a pesticidally acceptable salt thereof.

One aspect of the present invention as defined above is a method for the control of pests at a locus. The locus includes, for example, the pest itself, the place (plant, field, forest, orchard, waterway, soil, plant product, or the like) where the pest resides or feeds, or a place susceptible to future infestation by the pest. The compound of the invention may therefore be applied directly to the pest, to the place where the pest resides or feeds, or to the place susceptible to future infestation by the pest.

As is evident from the foregoing pesticidal uses, the present invention provides pesticidally active compounds and methods of use of said compounds for the control of a number of pest species which includes: arthropods, especially insects or mites, or plant nematodes. The compound of the invention may thus be advantageously employed in practical uses, for example, in agricultural or horticultural crops, in forestry, in veterinary medicine or livestock husbandry, or in public health.

The compounds of the invention may be used for example in the following applications and on the following pests:

For the control of soil insects, such as corn rootworm, termites (especially for protection of structures), root maggots, wireworms, root weevils, stalkborers, cutworms, root aphids, or grubs. They may also be used to provide activity against plant pathogenic nematodes, such as root-knot, cyst, dagger, lesion, or stem or bulb nematodes, or against mites. For the control of soil pests, for example corn rootworm, the compounds are advantageously applied to or incorporated at an effective rate into the soil in which crops are planted or to be planted or to the seeds or growing plant roots.

In the area of public health, the compounds are especially useful in the control of many insects, especially filth flies or other Dipteran pests, such as houseflies, stableflies, soldierflies, hornflies, deerflies, horseflies, midges, punkies, blackflies, or mosquitoes.

In the protection of stored products, for example cereals, including grain or flour, groundnuts, animal feedstuffs, timber or household goods, e.g. carpets and textiles, compounds of the invention are useful against attack by arthropods, more especially beetles, including weevils, moths or mites, for example Ephestia spp. (flour moths), Anthrenus spp. (carpet beetles), Tribolium spp. (flour beetles), Sitophilus spp. (grain weevils) or Acarus spp. (mites).

In the control of cockroaches, ants or termites or similar arthropod pests in infested domestic or industrial premises or in the control of mosquito larvae in waterways, wells, reservoirs or other running or standing Water.

For the treatment of foundations, structures or soil in the prevention of the attack on building by termites, for example, Reticulitermes spp., Heterotermes spp., Coptotermes spp.

In agriculture against adults, larvae and eggs of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), e.g. Heliothis spp. such as Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), Heliothis armigera and Heliothis zea. Against adults and larvae of Coleoptera (beetles) e.g. Anthonomus spp. e.g. grandis (cotton boll weevil), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle), Diabrotica spp. (corn rootworms). Against Heteroptera (Hemiptera and Homoptera) e.g. Psylla spp., Bemisia spp., Trialeurodes spp., Aphis spp., Myzus spp., Megoura viciae, Phylloxera spp., Nephotettix spp. (rice leaf hoppers), Nilaparvata spp.

Against Diptera e.g. Musca spp. Against Thysanoptera such as Thrips tabaci. Against Orthoptera such as Locusta and Schistocerca spp., (locusts and crickets) e.g. Gryllus spp., and Acheta spp. for example, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Blatella germanica, Locusta migratoria migratorioides, and Schistocerca gregaria. Against Collembola e.g. Periplaneta spp. and Blatella spp. (roaches). Against arthropods of agricultural significance such as Acari (mites) e.g. Tetranychus spp., and Panonychus spp.

Against nematodes which attack plants or trees of importance to agriculture, forestry or horticulture either directly or by spreading bacterial, viral, mycoplasma or fungal diseases of the plants. For example root-knot nematodes such as Meloidogyne spp. (e.g. M. incognita). In the field of veterinary medicine or livestock husbandry or in the maintenance of public health against arthropods which are parasitic internally or externally upon vertebrates, particularly warm-blooded vertebrates, for example domestic animals, e.g. cattle, sheep, goats, equines, swine, poultry, dogs or cats, for example Acarina, including ticks (e.g. soft-bodied ticks including Argasidae spp. e.g. Argas spp. and Ornithodorus spp. (e.g. Ornithodorus moubata); hard-bodied ticks including Ixodidae spp., e.g. Boophilus spp. e.g. Boophilus microplus, Rhipicephalus spp. e.g. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus; mites (e.g. Damalinia spp.); fleas (e.g. Ctenocephalides spp. e.g. Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) and Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea)); lice e.g. Menopon spp.; Diptera (e.g. Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Musca spp., Hypoderma spp.); Hemiptera.; Dictyoptera (e.g. Periplaneta spp., Blatella spp.); Hymenoptera; for example against infections of the gastro-intestinal tract caused by parasitic nematode worms, for example members of the family Trichostrongylidae.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the compounds of formula (I) are used for the control of parasites of animals. Preferably the animal to be treated is a domestic companion animal such as a dog or a cat.

In a further aspect of the invention the compounds of formula (I) or salts or compositions thereof are used for the preparation of a veterinary medicament.

A further feature of the invention thus relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof, or of a composition thereof, for the control of pests.

In practical use for the control of arthropods, especially insects or mites, or helminths, especially nematode pests of plants, a method, for example, comprises applying to the plants or to the medium in which they grow an effective amount of a compound of the invention. For such a method, the compound of the invention is generally applied to the locus in which the arthropod or nematode infestation is to be controlled at an effective rate in the range of about 2 g to about 1 kg of the active compound per hectare of locus treated. Under ideal conditions, depending on the pest to be controlled, a lower rate may offer adequate protection. On the other hand, adverse weather conditions, resistance of the pest or other factors may require that the active ingredient be used at higher rates. The optimum rate depends usually upon a number of factors, for example, the type of pest being controlled, the type or the growth stage of the infested plant, the row spacing or also the method of application. Preferably an effective rate range of the active compound is from about 10 g/ha to about 400 g/ha, more preferably from about 50 g/ha to about 200 g/ha.

When a pest is soil-borne, the active compound generally in a formulated composition, is distributed evenly over the area to be treated (ie, for example broadcast or band treatment) in any convenient manner and is applied at rates from about 10 g/ha to about 400 g ai/ha, preferably from about 50 g/ha to about 200 g ai/ha. When applied as a root dip to seedlings or drip irrigation to plants the liquid solution or suspension contains from about 0.075 to about 1000 mg ai/l, preferably from about 25 to about 200 mg ai/l. Application may be made, if desired, to the field or crop-growing area generally or in close proximity to the seed or plant to be protected from attack. The compound of the invention can be washed into the soil by spraying with water over the area or can be left to the natural action of rainfall. During or after application, the formulated compound can, if desired, be distributed mechanically in the soil, for example by ploughing, disking, or use of drag chains. Application can be prior to planting, at planting, after planting but before sprouting has taken place, or after sprouting.

The compound of the invention and methods of control of pests therewith are of particular value in the protection of field, forage, plantation, glasshouse, orchard or vineyard crops, of ornamentals, or of plantation or forest trees, for example: cereals (such as wheat or rice), cotton, vegetables (such as peppers), field crops (such as sugar beets, soybeans or oil seed rape), grassland or forage crops (such as maize or sorghum), orchards or groves (such as of stone or pit fruit or citrus), ornamental plants, flowers or vegetables or shrubs under glass or in gardens or parks, or forest trees (both deciduous and evergreen) in forests, plantations or nurseries. They are also valuable in the protection of timber (standing, felled, converted, stored or structural) from attack, for example, by sawflies or beetles or termites. They have applications in the protection of stored products such as grains, fruits, nuts, spices or tobacco, whether whole, milled or compounded into products, from moth, beetle, mite or grain weevil attack. Also protected are stored animal products such as skins, hair, wool or feathers in natural or converted form (e.g. as carpets or textiles) from moth or beetle attack as well as stored meat, fish or grains from beetle, mite or fly attack.

Additionally, the compound of the invention and methods of use thereof are of particular value in the control of arthropods or helminths which are injurious to, or spread or act as vectors of diseases domestic animals, for example those hereinbefore mentioned, and more especially in the control of ticks, mites, lice, fleas, midges, or biting, nuisance or myiasis flies. The compounds of the invention are particularly useful in controlling arthropods or helminths which are present inside domestic host animals or which feed in or on the skin or suck the blood of the animal, for which purpose they may be administered orally, parenterally, percutaneously or topically.

The compositions hereinafter described for application to growing crops or crop growing loci or as a seed dressing may, in general, alternatively be employed in the protection of stored products, household goods, property or areas of the general environment. Suitable means of applying the compounds of the invention include: to growing crops as foliar sprays (for example as an in-furrow spray), dusts, granules, fogs or foams or also as suspensions of finely divided or encapsulated compositions as soil or root treatments by liquid drenches, dusts, granules, smokes or foams; to seeds of crops via application as seed dressings, e.g. by liquid slurries or dusts;

to animals infested by or exposed to infestation by arthropods or helminths, by parenteral, oral or topical application of compositions in which the active ingredient exhibits an immediate and/or prolonged action over a period of time against the arthropods or helminths, for example by incorporation in feed or suitable orally-ingestible pharmaceutical formulations, edible baits, salt licks, dietary supplements, pour-on formulations, sprays, baths, dips, showers, jets, dusts, greases, shampoos, creams, wax smears or livestock self-treatment systems; to the environment in general or to specific locations where pests may lurk, including stored products, timber, household goods, or domestic or industrial premises, as sprays, fogs, dusts, smokes, wax-smears, lacquers, granules or baits, or in tricklefeeds to waterways, wells, reservoirs or other running or standing water.

The compounds of formula (I) are particularly useful for the control of parasites of animals when applied orally, and in a further preferred aspect of the invention the compounds of formula (I) are used for the control of parasites of animals by oral application. The compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof may be administered before, during or after meals. The compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof may be mixed with a carrier and/or foodstuff.

The compound of the formula (I) or salt thereof is administered orally in a dose to the animal in a dose range generally from 0.1 to 500 mg/kg of the compound of the formula (I) or salt thereof per kilogram of animal body weight (mg/kg). The frequency of treatment of the animal, preferably the domestic animal to be treated by the compound of the formula (I) or salt thereof is generally from about once per week to about once per year, preferably from about once every two weeks to once every three months.

The compounds of the invention may be administered most advantageously with another parasiticidally effective material, such as an endoparasiticide, and/or an ectoparasiticide, and/or an endectoparasiticide. For example, such compounds include macrocyclic lactones such as avermectins or milbemycins e.g., ivermectin, pyratel or an insect growth regulator such as lufenuron or methoprene.

The compounds of the formula (I) can also be employed for controlling harmful organisms in crops of known genetically engineered plants or genetically engineered plants yet to be developed. As a rule, the transgenic plants are distinguished by especially advantageous properties, for example by resistances to particular crop protection agents, resistances to plant diseases or pathogens of plant diseases, such as particular insects or microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria or viruses. Other particular properties concern, for example, the harvested material with regard to quantity, quality, storage properties, composition and specific constituents. Thus, transgenic plants are known where the starch content is increased, or the starch quality is altered, or where the harvested material has a different fatty acid composition.

The use in economically important transgenic crops of useful plants and ornamentals is preferred, for example of cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, millet, rice, cassaya and maize or else crops of sugar beet, cotton, soya, oilseed rape, potatoes, tomatoes, peas and other types of vegetables.

When used in transgenic crops, in particular those which have resistances to insects, effects are frequently observed, in addition to the effects against harmful organisms to be observed in other crops, which are specific for application in the transgenic crop in question, for example an altered or specifically widened spectrum of pests which can be controlled, or altered application rates which may be employed for application.

The invention therefore also relates to the use of compounds of the formula (I) for controlling harmful organisms in transgenic crop plants.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a pesticidal composition comprising one or more compounds of the invention as defined above, in association with, and preferably homogeneously dispersed in one or more compatible pesticidally acceptable diluents or carriers and/or surface active agents [i.e. diluents or carriers and/or surface active agents of the type generally accepted in the art as being suitable for use in pesticidal compositions and which are compatible with compounds of the invention].

In practice, the compounds of the invention most frequently form parts of compositions. These compositions can be employed to control arthropods, especially insects, or plant nematodes or mites. The compositions may be of any type known in the art suitable for application to the desired pest in any premises or indoor or outdoor area. These compositions contain at least one compound of the invention as the active ingredient in combination or association with one or more other compatible components which are for example, solid or liquid carriers or diluents, adjuvants, surface-active-agents, or the like appropriate for the intended use and which are agronomically or medicinally acceptable. These compositions, which may be prepared by any manner known in the art, likewise form a part of this invention.

The compounds of the invention, in their commercially available formulations and in the use forms prepared from these formulations may be present in mixtures with other active substances such as insecticides, aitractants, sterilants, acaricides, nematicides, fungicides, growth regulatory substances or herbicides.

The pesticides include, for example, phosphoric esters, carbamates, carboxylic esters, formamidines, tin compounds and materials produced by microorganisms.

Preferred components in mixtures are:

Insecticides/Acaricides/Nematicides:

1. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibitors

1.1 carbamates (for example alanycarb, aidicarb, aldoxycarb, allyxycarb, aminocarb, azamethiphos, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bufencarb, butacarb, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, chloethocarb, coumaphos, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, dimetilan, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, fenothiocarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, isoprocarb, metam-sodium, methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, promecarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, thiofanox, triazamate, trimethacarb, XMC, xylylcarb)

1.2 organophosphates (for example acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos (-methyl, -ethyl), bromophos-ethyl, bromfenvinfos (-methyl), butathiofos, cadusafos, carbophenothion, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos (-methyl/-ethyl), coumaphos, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, demeton-s-methyl, demeton-s-methylsulphon, dialifos, diazinon, dichlofenthion, dichlorvos/DDVP, dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, dioxabenzofos, disulfoton, EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, etrimfos, famphur, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fensulfothion, fenthion, flupyrazofos, fonofos, formothion, fosmethilan, fosthiazate, heptenophos, iodofenphos, iprobenfos, isazofos, isofenphos, isopropyl o-salicylate, isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methacrifos, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion (-methyl/-ethyl), phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phosphocarb, phoxim, pirimiphos (-methyl/-ethyl), profenofos, propaphos, propetamphos, prothiofos, prothoate, pyraclofos, pyridaphenthion, pyridathion, quinalphos, sebufos, sulfotep, sulprofos, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos, triclorfon, vamidothion)

2. Sodium Channel Modulators/Voltage-Dependent Sodium Channel Blockers

2.1 pyrethroids (for example acrinathrin, allethrin (d-cis-trans, d-trans), beta-cyfluth rin, bifenthrin, bioalleth rin, bioallethrin-s-cyclopentyl-isomer, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, bioresmethrin, chlovaporthrin, cis-cypermethrin, cis-resmethrin, cis-permethrin, clocythrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin (alpha-, beta-, theta-, zeta-), cyphenothrin, DDT, deltamethrin, em-penthrin (1R-isomer), esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenfluthrin, fenpropathrin, fenpyrithrin, fenvalerate, flubrocythrinate, flucythrinate, flufenprox, flumethrin, fluvalinate, fubfenprox, gamma-cyhalothrin, imiprothrin, kadethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, metofluthrin, permethrin (cis-, trans-), phenothrin (1R-trans isomer), prallethrin, profluthrin, protrifenbute, pyresmethrin, resmethrin, RU 15525, silafluofen, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, terallethrin, tetramethrin (1R-isomer), tralome-thrin, transfluthrin, ZXI 8901, pyrethrins (pyrethrum))

2.2 oxadiazines (for example indoxacarb)

3. Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists/Antagonists

3.1 chloronicotinyls/neonicotinoids (for example acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam)

3.2 nicotine, bensultap, cartap

4. Acetylcholine Receptor Modulators

4.1 spinosyns (for example spinosad)

5. GABA-Controlled Chloride Channel Antagonists

5.1 cyclodiene organochlorines (for example camphechlor, chlordane, endosulfan, gamma-HCH, HCH, heptachlor, lindane, methoxychlor)

5.2 fiproles (for example acetoprole, ethiprole, fipronil, vaniliprole)

6. Chloride Channel Activators

6.1 mectins (for example abamectin, avermectin, emamectin, emamectin-benzoate, ivermectin, milbemectin, milbemycin)

7. Juvenile Hormone Mimetics (for example diofenolan, epofenonane, fenoxycarb, hydroprene, kinoprene, methoprene, pyriproxifen, triprene)

8. Ecdysone Agonists/Disruptors

8.1 diacylhydrazines (for example chromafenozide, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide)

9. Chitin Biosynthesis Inhibitors

9.1 benzoylureas (for example bistrifluoron, chlofluazuron, diflubenzuron, fluazuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, penfluoron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron)

9.2 buprofezin

9.3 cyromazine

10. Inhibitors of Oxidative Phosphorylation, ATP Disruptors

10.1 diafenthiuron

10.2 organotins (for example azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin-oxide)

11. Decouplers of Oxidative Phosphorylation Acting by Interrupting the H-Proton gradient

11.1 pyrroles (for example chlorfenapyr)

11.2 dinitrophenols (for example binapacyrl, dinobuton, dinocap, DNOC)

12. Site-I Electron Transport Inhibitors

12.1 METIs (for example fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyrimidifen, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad)

12.2 hydramethylnone

12.3 dicofol

13. Site-II Electron Transport Inhibitors

13.1 rotenone

14. Site-III Electron Transport Inhibitors

14.1 acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim

15. Microbial Disruptors of the Insect Gut Membrane

Bacillus thuringiensis strains

16. Inhibitors of Fat Synthesis

16.1 tetronic acids (for example spirodiclofen, spiromesifen)

16.2 tetramic acids [for example 3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl ethyl carbonate (alias: carbonic acid, 3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl ethyl ester, CAS Reg. No.: 382608-10-8) and carbonic acid, cis-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl ethyl ester (CAS Reg. No.: 203313-25-1)]

17. Carboxamides

(for example flonicamid)

18. Octopaminergic Agonists

(for example amitraz)

19. Inhibitors of Magnesium-Stimulated ATPase

(for example propargite)

20. Phthalamides

(for example N²-[1,1-dimethyl-2-(methylsulphonyl)ethyl]-3-iodo-N¹-[2-methyl-4-[1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]phenyl]-1,2-benzenedicarboxamide (CAS Reg. No.: 272451-65-7), flubendiamide)

21. Nereistoxin Analogues

(for example thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate, thiosultap-sodium)

22. Biologicals, Hormones or Pheromones

(for example azadirachtin, Bacillus spec., Beauveria spec., codlemone, Metarrhizium spec., Paecilomyces spec., thuringiensin, Verticillium spec.)

23. Active Compounds with Unknown or Unspecific Mechanisms of Action

23.1 fumigants (for example aluminium phosphide, methyl bromide, sulphuryl fluoride)

23.2 selective antifeedants (for example cryolite, flonicamid, pymetrozine)

23.3 mite growth inhibitors (for example clofentezine, etoxazole, hexythiazox)

23.4 amidoflumet, benclothiaz, benzoximate, bifenazate, bromopropylate, bupro-fezin, chinomethionat, chlordimeform, chlorobenzilate, chloropicrin, clothiazoben, cycloprene, cyflumetofen, dicyclanil, fenoxacrim, fentrifanil, flubenzimine, flufenerim, flutenzin, gossyplure, hydramethylnone, japonilure, metoxadiazone, petroleum, piperonyl butoxide, potassium oleate, pyrafluprole, pyridalyl, pyriprole, sulfluramid, tetradifon, tetrasul, triarathene, verbutin,

and also the compound 3-methylphenyl propylcarbamate (tsumacide Z), the compound 3-(5-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-8-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3-carbonitrile (CAS Reg. No. 185982-80-3) and the corresponding 3-endo isomer (CAS Reg. No. 185984-60-5) (cf. WO 96/37494, WO 98/25923), and preparations which comprise insecticidally active plant extracts, nematodes, fungi or viruses.

Examples of suitable fungicide mixing partners may be selected in the following list

Inhibition of Nucleic Acid Synthesis:

benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, bupirimate, chiralaxyl, clozylacon, dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, hymexazol, metalaxyl-M, ofurace, oxadixyl, oxolinic acid

Inhibition of Mitosis and Cell Division:

benomyl, carbendazim, diethofencarb, fuberidazole, pencycuron, thiabendazole thiophanate-methyl, zoxamide

Inhibition of Respiration.

CI: diflumetorim

CII: boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, furametpyr, mepronil, oxycarboxine, penthiopyrad, thifluzamide

CII: azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, dimoxystrobin, enestrobin, famoxadone, fenamidone, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin,

Uncouplers: dinocap, fluazinam

Inhibition of ATP production: fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide, silthiofam

Inhibition of AA and Protein Biosynthesis:

andoprim, blasticidin-S, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil,

Inhibition of Signal Transduction:

fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, quinoxyfen

Inhibition of Lipids and Membranes Synthesis:

chlozolinate, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin pyrazophos, edifenphos, iprobenfos (IBP), isoprothiolane tolclofos-methyl, biphenyl iodocarb, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride

Inhibition of Ergosterol Biosynthesis:

fenhexamid,

azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, paclobutrazol, penconazole, propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole, uniconazole, voriconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulfate, oxpoconazole, fenarimol, flurprimidol, nuarimol, pyrifenox, triforine, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizole, viniconazole,

aldimorph, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, spiroxamine

naftifine, pyributicarb, terbinafine,

Inhibition of Cell Wall Synthesis:

benthiavalicarb, bialaphos, dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, polyoxins, polyoxorim, validamycin A

Inhibition of Melanine Biosynthesis:

carpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, phtalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole,

Host Defence Inducer:

acibenzolar-S-methyl, probenazole, tiadinil

Multisite:

captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper preparations such as: copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oxychloride, copper sulphate, copper oxide, oxine-copper and Bordeaux mixture, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base, ferbam, fluorofolpet, folpet, guazatine, guazatien acetate, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, metiram zinc, propineb, sulphur and sulphur preparations including calcium polysulphide, thiram, tolylfluanid, zineb, ziram,

Unknown:

amibromdole, benthiazole, bethoxazin, capsimycin, carvone, chinomethionat, chloropicrin, cufraneb, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, dazomet, debacarb, diclomezine, dichlorophen, dicloran, difenzoquat, difenzoquat methylsulphate, diphenylamine, ethaboxam, ferimzone, flumetover, flusulfamide, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium, fosetyl-sodium, fluopicolide, fluoroimide, hexachlorobenzene, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, irumamycin, methasulphocarb, metrafenone, methyl isothiocyanate, mildiomycin, natamycin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, octhilinone, oxamocarb, oxyfenthiin, pentachlorophenol and salts, 2-phenylphenol and salts, phosphorous acid and its salts, piperalin, propanosine-sodium, proquinazid, pyrroInitrine, quintozene, tecloftalam, tecnazene, triazoxide, trichlamide, zarilamid and 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-pyridine, N-(4-Chloro-2-nitrophenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide, 2-amino-4-methyl-N-phenyl-5-thiazolecarboxamide, 2-chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-4-yl)-3-pyridincarboxamide, 3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethylisoxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine, cis-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-cycloheptanol, methyl 1-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate, 3,4,5-trichloro-2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile, Methyl 2-[[[cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl]thio]methyl]-.alpha.-(methoxymethylene)-benzeneacetate, 4-Chloro-alpha-propynyloxy-N-[2-[3-methoxy-4-(2-propynyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]-benzeneacetamide, (2S)—N-[2-[4-[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-propynyl]oxy]-3-methoxyphenyl]ethyl]-3-methyl-2-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]-butanamide, 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, 5-chloro-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine, 5-chloro-N-[(1R)-1,2-dimethylpropyl]-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine, N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloronicotinamide, N-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl-2,4-dichloronicotinamide, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-benzopyranon-4-one, N-{(Z)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide, N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl)-3-formylamino-2-hydroxy-benzamide, 2-[[[[1-[3(1-Fluoro-2-phenylethyl)oxy]phenyl]ethylidene]amino]oxy]methyl]-alpha-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-alphaE-benzeneacetamide, N-{2-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxylic acid, O-[1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl]-1H-imidazole-1-carbothioic acid, 2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylacetamide

The abovementioned components for combinations are known active substances, many of which are described in Ch. R Worthing, S. B. Walker, The Pesticide Manual, 13^(rd) Edition, British Crop Protection Council, Farnham 2003.

The effective use doses of the compounds employed in the invention can vary within wide limits, particularly depending on the nature of the pest to be eliminated or degree of infestation, for example, of crops with these pests. In general, the compositions according to the invention usually contain about 0.05 to about 95% (by weight) of one or more active ingredients according to the invention, about 1 to about 95% of one or more solid or liquid carriers and, optionally, about 0.1 to about 50% of one or more other compatible components, such as surface-active agents or the like.

In the present account, the term “carrier” denotes an organic or inorganic ingredient, natural or synthetic, with which the active ingredient is combined to facilitate its application, for example, to the plant, to seeds or to the soil. This carrier is therefore generally inert and it must be acceptable (for example, agronomically acceptable, particularly to the treated plant).

The carrier may be a solid, for example, clays, natural or synthetic silicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers (for example ammonium salts), ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, bentonite or diatomaceous earth, or ground synthetic minerals, such as silica, alumina, or silicates especially aluminium or magnesium silicates. As solid carriers for granules the following are suitable: crushed or fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite; synthetic granules of inorganic or organic meals; granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs, corn husks or tobacco stalks; kieselguhr, tricalcium phosphate, powdered cork, or absorbent carbon black; water soluble polymers, resins, waxes; or solid fertilizers. Such solid compositions may, if desired, contain one or more compatible wetting, dispersing, emulsifying or colouring agents which, when solid, may also serve as a diluent.

The carrier may also be liquid, for example: water; alcohols, particularly butanol or glycol, as well as their ethers or esters, particularly methylglycol acetate; ketones, particularly acetone, cyclohexanone, methylethyl ketone, methylisobutylketone, or isophorone; petroleum fractions such as paraffinic or aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly xylenes or alkyl naphthalenes; mineral or vegetable oils; aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly trichloroethane or methylene chloride; aromatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly chlorobenzenes; water-soluble or strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, or N-methylpyrrolidone; liquefied gases; or the like or a mixture thereof.

The surface-active agent may be an emulsifying agent, dispersing agent or wetting agent of the ionic or non-ionic type or a mixture of such surface-active agents. Amongst these are e.g., salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acids, salts of phenolsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or fatty acids or fatty esters or fatty amines, substituted phenols (particularly alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulphosuccinic acid esters, taurine derivatives (particularly alkyltaurates), phosphoric esters of alcohols or of polycondensates of ethylene oxide with phenols, esters of fatty acids with polyols, or sulphate, sulphonate or phosphate functional derivatives of the above compounds. The presence of at least one surface-active agent is generally essential when the active ingredient and/or the inert carrier are only slightly water soluble or are not water soluble and the carrier agent of the composition for application is water.

Compositions of the invention may further contain other additives such as adhesives or colorants. Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose or natural or synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or lattices, such as arabic gum, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate, natural phospholipids, such as cephalins or lecithins, or synthetic phospholipids can be used in the formulations. It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example: iron oxides, titanium oxides or Prussian Blue; organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs or metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs; or trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum or zinc.

For their agricultural application, the compounds of the invention are therefore generally in the form of compositions, which are in various solid or liquid forms. Solid forms of compositions which can be used are dusting powders (with a content of the compound of the invention, ranging up to 80%), wettable powders or granules (including water dispersible granules), particularly those obtained by extrusion, compacting, impregnation of a granular carrier, or granulation starting from a powder (the content of the compound of the invention, in these wettable powders or granules being between about 0.5 and about 80%). Solid homogenous or heterogenous compositions containing one or more compounds of the invention, for example granules, pellets, briquettes or capsules, may be used to treat standing or running water over a period of time. A similar effect may be achieved using trickle or intermittent feeds of water dispersible concentrates as described herein. Liquid compositions, for example, include aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions (such as emulsifiable concentrates, emulsions, flowables, dispersions, or solutions) or aerosols. Liquid compositions also include, in particular, emulsifiable concentrates, dispersions, emulsions, flowables, aerosols, wettable powders (or powder for spraying), dry flowables or pastes as forms of compositions which are liquid or intended to form liquid compositions when applied, for example as aqueous sprays (including low and ultra-low volume) or as fogs or aerosols. Liquid compositions, for example, in the form of emulsifiable or soluble concentrates most frequently comprise about 5 to about 80% by weight of the active ingredient, while the emulsions or solutions which are ready for application contain, in their case, about 0.01 to about 20% of the active ingredient. Besides the solvent, the emulsifiable or soluble concentrates may contain, when required, about 2 to about 50% of suitable additives, such as stabilizers, surface-active agents, penetrating agents, corrosion inhibitors, colorants or adhesives. Emulsions of any required concentration, which are particularly suitable for application, for example, to plants, may be obtained from these concentrates by dilution with water. These compositions are included within the scope of the compositions which may be employed in the present invention. The emulsions may be in the form of water-in-oil or oil-in-water type and they may have a thick consistency.

The liquid compositions of this invention may, in addition to normal agricultural use applications be used for example to treat substrates or sites infested or liable to infestation by arthropods (or other pests controlled by compounds of this invention) including premises, outdoor or indoor storage or processing areas, containers or equipment or standing or running water.

All these aqueous dispersions or emulsions or spraying mixtures can be applied, for example, to crops by any suitable means, chiefly by spraying, at rates which are generally of the order of about 100 to about 1,200 liters of spraying mixture per hectare, but may be higher or lower (eg. low or ultra-low volume) depending upon the need or application technique. The compound or compositions according to the invention are conveniently applied to vegetation and in particular to roots or leaves having pests to be eliminated. Another method of application of the compounds or compositions according to the invention is by chemigation, that is to say, the addition of a formulation containing the active ingredient to irrigation water. This irrigation may be sprinkler irrigation for foliar pesticides or it can be ground irrigation or underground irrigation for soil or for systemic pesticides.

The concentrated suspensions, which can be applied by spraying, are prepared so as to produce a stable fluid product which does not settle (fine grinding) and usually contain from about 10 to about 75% by weight of active ingredient, from about 0.5 to about 30% of surface-active agents, from about 0.1 to about 10% of thixotropic agents, from about 0 to about 30% of suitable additives, such as anti-foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors, stabilizers, penetrating agents, adhesives and, as the carrier, water or an organic liquid in which the active ingredient is poorly soluble or insoluble. Some organic solids or inorganic salts may be dissolved in the carrier to help prevent settling or as antifreezes for water.

The wettable powers (or powder for spraying) are usually prepared so that they contain from about 10 to about 80% by weight of active ingredient, from about 20 to about 90% of a solid carrier, from about 0 to about 5% of a wetting agent, from about 3 to about 10% of a dispersing agent and, when necessary, from about 0 to about 80% of one or more stabilizers and/or other additives, such as penetrating agents, adhesives, anti-caking agents, colorants, or the like. To obtain these wettable powders, the active ingredient is thoroughly mixed in a suitable blender with additional substances which may be impregnated on the porous filler and is ground using a mill or other suitable grinder. This produces wettable powders, the wettability and the suspendability of which are advantageous. They may be suspended in water to give any desired concentration and this suspension can be employed very advantageously in particular for application to plant foliage.

The “water dispersible granules (WG)” (granules which are readily dispersible in water) have compositions which are substantially close to that of the wettable powders. They may be prepared by granulation of formulations described for the wettable powders, either by a wet route (contacting finely divided active ingredient with the inert filler and a little water, e.g. 1 to 20% by weight, or with an aqueous solution of a dispersing agent or binder, followed by drying and screening), or by a dry route (compacting followed by grinding and screening).

The rates and concentrations of the formulated compositions may vary according to the method of application or the nature of the compositions or use thereof. Generally speaking, the compositions for application to control arthropod or plant nematode pests usually contain from about 0.00001% to about 95%, more particularly from about 0.0005% to about 50% by weight of one or more compounds of the invention, or of total active ingredients (that is to say the compounds of the invention, together with other substances toxic to arthropods or plant nematodes, synergists, trace elements or stabilizers). The actual compositions employed and their rate of application will be selected to achieve the desired effect(s) by the farmer, livestock producer, medical or veterinary practitioner, pest control operator or other person skilled in the art.

Solid or liquid compositions for application topically to animals, timber, stored products or household goods usually contain from about 0.00005% to about 90%, more particularly from about 0.001% to about 10%, by weight of one or more compounds of the invention. For administration to animals orally or parenterally, including percutaneously solid or liquid compositions, these normally contain from about 0.1% to about 90% by weight of one or more compounds of the invention. Medicated feedstuffs normally contain from about 0.001% to about 3% by weight of one or more compounds of the invention. Concentrates or supplements for mixing with feedstuffs normally contain from about 5% to about 90%, preferably from about 5% to about 50%, by weight of one or more compounds of the invention. Mineral salt licks normally contain from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of one or more compounds of formula (I) or pesticidally acceptable salts thereof.

Dusts or liquid compositions for application to livestock, goods, premises or outdoor areas may contain from about 0.0001% to about 15%, more especially from about 0.005% to about 2.0%, by weight, of one or more compounds of the invention. Suitable concentrations in treated waters are between about 0.0001 ppm and about ppm, more particularly about 0.001 ppm to about 5.0 ppm. of one or more compounds of the invention, and may be used therapeutically in fish farming with appropriate exposure times. Edible baits may contain from about 0.01% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 1.0%, by weight, of one or more compounds of the invention.

When administered to vertebrates parenterally, orally or by percutaneous or other means, the dosage of compounds of the invention, will depend upon the species, age, or health of the vertebrate and upon the nature and degree of its actual or potential infestation by arthropod or helminth pests. A single dose of about 0.1 to about 100 mg, preferably about 2.0 to about 20.0 mg, per kg body weight of the animal or doses of about 0.01 to about 20.0 mg, preferably about 0.1 to about 5.0 mg, per kg body weight of the animal per day, for sustained medication, are generally suitable by oral or parenteral administration. By use of sustained release formulations or devices, the daily doses required over a period of months may be combined and administered to animals on a single occasion.

The following composition EXAMPLES 2A-2M illustrate compositions for use against arthropods, especially mites or insects, or plant nematodes, which comprise, as active ingredient, compounds of the invention, such as those described in preparative examples. The compositions described in EXAMPLES 2A-2M can each be diluted to give a sprayable composition at concentrations suitable for use in the field. Generic chemical descriptions of the ingredients (for which all of the following percentages are in weight percent), used in the composition EXAMPLES 2A-2M exemplified below, are as follows:

Trade Name Chemical Description Ethylan BCP Nonylphenol ethylene oxide condensate Soprophor Tristyrylphenol ethylene oxide condensate BSU Arylan CA A 70% w/v solution of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate Solvesso 150 Light C₁₀ aromatic solvent Arylan S Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate Darvan NO₂ Sodium lignosulphonate Celite PF Synthetic magnesium silicate carrier Sopropon T36 Sodium salts of polycarboxylic acids Rhodigel 23 Polysaccharide xanthan gum Bentone 38 Organic derivative of magnesium montmorillonite Aerosil Microfine silicon dioxide

Example 2A

A water soluble concentrate is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient  7% Ethylan BCP 10% N-methylpyrrolidone 83%

To a solution of Ethylan BCP dissolved in a portion of N-methylpyrrolidone is added the active ingredient with heating and stirring until dissolved. The resulting solution is made up to volume with the remainder of the solvent.

Example 2B

An emulsifiable concentrate (EC) is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 25%(max) Soprophor BSU 10% Arylan CA  5% N-methylpyrrolidone 50% Solvesso 150 10%

The first three components are dissolved in N-methylpyrrolidone and to this is then added the Solvesso 150 to give the final volume.

Example 2C

A wettable powder (WP) is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 40% Arylan S  2% Darvan NO₂  5% Celite PF 53%

The ingredients are mixed and ground in a hammer-mill to a powder with a particle size of less than 50 microns.

Example 2D

An aqueous-flowable formulation is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 40.00%  Ethylan BCP 1.00% Sopropon T360. 0.20% Ethylene glycol 5.00% Rhodigel 230. 0.15% Water 53.65% 

The ingredients are intimately mixed and are ground in a bead mill until a mean particle size of less than 3 microns is obtained.

Example 2E

An emulsifiable suspension concentrate is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 30.0% Ethylan BCP 10.0% Bentone 38  0.5% Solvesso 150 59.5%

The ingredients are intimately mixed and ground in a beadmill until a mean particle size of less than 3 microns is obtained.

Example 2F

A water dispersible granule is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 30% Darvan No 2 15% Arylan S  8% Celite PF 47%

The ingredients are mixed, micronized in a fluid-energy mill and then granulated in a rotating pelletizer by spraying with water (up to 10%). The resulting granules are dried in a fluid-bed drier to remove excess water.

Example 2G

A dusting powder is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient  1 to 10% Talc powder-superfine 99 to 90%

The ingredients are intimately mixed and further ground as necessary to achieve a fine powder. This powder may be applied to a locus of arthropod infestation, for example refuse dumps, stored products or household goods or animals infested by, or at risk of infestation by, arthropods to control the arthropods by oral ingestion. Suitable means for distributing the dusting powder to the locus of arthropod infestation include mechanical blowers, handshakers or livestock self treatment devices.

Example 2H

An edible bait is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 0.1 to 1.0% Wheat flour 80% Molasses 19.9 to 19%  

The ingredients are intimately mixed and formed as required into a bait form. This edible bait may be distributed at a locus, for example domestic or industrial premises, e.g. kitchens, hospitals or stores, or outdoor areas, infested by arthropods, for example ants, locusts, cockroaches or flies, to control the arthropods by oral ingestion.

Example 2I

A solution formulation is prepared with a composition as follows:

Active ingredient 15% Dimethyl sulfoxide 85%

The active ingredient is dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide with mixing and or heating as required. This solution may be applied percutaneously as a pour-on application to domestic animals infested by arthropods or, after sterilization by filtration through a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (0.22 micrometer pore size), by parenteral injection, at a rate of application of from 1.2 to 12 ml of solution per 100 kg of animal body weight.

Example 2J

A wettable powder is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 50% Ethylan BCP  5% Aerosil  5% Celite PF 40%

The Ethylan BCP is absorbed onto the Aerosil which is then mixed with the other ingredients and ground in a hammer-mill to give a wettable powder, which may be diluted with water to a concentration of from 0.001% to 2% by weight of the active compound and applied to a locus of infestation by arthropods, for example, dipterous larvae or plant nematodes, by spraying, or to domestic animals infested by, or at risk of infection by arthropods, by spraying or dipping, or by oral administration in drinking water, to control the arthropods.

Example 2K

A slow release bolus composition is formed from granules containing the following components in varying percentages (similar to those described for the previous compositions) depending upon need:

-   -   Active ingredient     -   Density agent     -   Slow-release agent     -   Binder

The intimately mixed ingredients are formed into granules which are compressed into a bolus with a specific gravity of 2 or more. This can be administered orally to ruminant domestic animals for retention within the reticulo-rumen to give a continual slow release of active compound over an extended period of time to control infestation of the ruminant domestic animals by arthropods.

Example 2L

A slow release composition in the form of granules, pellets, brickettes or the like can be prepared with compositions as follows:

Active ingredient 0.5 to 25%  Polyvinyl chloride   75 to 99.5% Dioctyl phthalate (plasticizer)

The components are blended and then formed into suitable shapes by melt-extrusion or molding. These composition are useful, for example, for addition to standing water or for fabrication into collars or eartags for attachment to domestic animals to control pests by slow release.

Example 2M

A water dispersible granule is prepared with the composition as follows:

Active ingredient 85% (max) Polyvinylpyrrolidone 5% Attapulgite clay 6% Sodium lauryl sulfate 2% Glycerine 2%

The ingredients are mixed as a 45% slurry with water and wet milled to a particle size of 4 microns, then spray-dried to remove water.

Methods of Pesticidal Use

The following representative test procedure, using compounds of the invention, was conducted to determine the parasiticidal activity of compounds of the invention.

Biological Examples

Method A: Screening Method to Test Systemicity of Compounds Against Ctenocephalides felis (Cat Flea)

A test container was filled with 10 adults of Ctenocephalides felis. A glass cylinder was closed on one end with parafilm and placed on top of the test container. The test compound solution was then pipetted into bovine blood and added to the glass cylinder. The treated Ctenocephalides felis were held in this artificial dog test (blood 37° C., 40-60% relative humidity; Ctenocephalides felis 20-22° C., 40-60% relative humidity) and assessment performed at 24 and 48 hours after application. Compounds 01-05 and 06-41 gave at least 80% control of Ctenocephalides felis at a test concentration of 5 ppm or less.

Method B: Screening Method to Test Contact Activity Against Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Brown Dog Tick)

Solutions of the test compounds were dropped onto filter paper, dried and the filter paper placed into test tubes and infested with 20-30 larvae (L1) of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and the tubes closed with a clip. The treated Rhipicephalus sanguineus were held in a climate chamber (25° C., 90% RH) and the percentage efficacy assessed 24 hours after application in comparison with the untreated control. Compound number 02-63 gave at least 70% contact control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus at a test concentration of 100 ppm.

Method C: Screening Method to Test Contact Activity of Compounds Against Ctenocephalides felis (Cat Flea)

Solutions of the test compounds were dropped onto filter paper, dried and the filter paper placed into test tubes and infested with 10 adults of Ctenocephalides felis. The treated Ctenocephalides felis were held in a climate chamber (26° C., 80% RH) and the percentage efficacy assessed 24 hours and 48 hours after application in comparison with the untreated control.

Compounds of the invention gave useful contact control of Ctenocephalides felis at a test concentration of 1000 ppm.

Method D: Nilaparvata lugens (Rice Brown Planthopper) Screen

The leaves of rice plants were dipped for 5 seconds into an aqueous solution of the formulated preparation to be examined. After the solution had run off, the rice plants were placed in a Petri dish and populated with about 20 larvae (L3 stage) of the rice leafhopper species Nilaparvata lugens. The Petri dish was closed and then stored in a climatized chamber (16 hours of light/day, 25° C., 40-60% relative atmospheric humidity). After 6 days storage, the mortality among the leafhopper larvae was determined.

Compounds of the invention gave useful control of Nilaparvata lugens at a test concentration of 10 ppm.

Method E: Aphis fabae (Black Bean Aphid) Screen

Germinated field bean seeds (Vicia faba) with roots were transferred into bottles filled with tap water. Aqueous solutions (4 ml) of the formulated preparation to be examined were dropped into the bottle. The plants were then infested with approximately 100 black bean aphids (Aphis fabae) and stored in a controlled-environment cabinet at approximately 25° C. After 3 and 6 days storage, the effect of the preparation on the aphids was determined.

Compounds of the invention gave useful control of Aphis fabae at a test concentration of 10 ppm. 

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein: R¹ are R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃, CF₃, CSNH₂ or C(═N-Z)-S(O)_(r)-Q; W and W₁ are each independently N or C—R⁵; R² and R^(2a) and R⁵ are each independently halogen, CH₃ or NR⁶R⁷; R³ and R^(3a) are each independently (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy or SF₅; R⁴ and R^(4a) are each independently (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl or (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl; A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹, NR^(8a)—CO—CO—NR^(9a), NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a), NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a), or a formula (E):

or a formula (F);

M is Y, CO—Y¹—CO, CO—O—Y¹—O—CO, CO—CO, C(═X), S, S₂, SO or SO₂; R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl or (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, which last three mentioned groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₃-C₇)-cycloakyl, R₁₂, R₁₃, (C₁-C₆-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, OR¹² and OR¹³; R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently H, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, CO₂—(C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, CO₂—(C₂-C_(6,))-alkynyl, CO₂—(CH₂)_(m)R¹², CO₂—(CH₂)_(m)R¹³, CHO, CO—(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, COR¹², COR¹³, SO₂R¹⁴, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last two mentioned groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; R^(8a) and R^(9a) are each independently H, (C₂-C₇)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; Y is (C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene, (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene or (C₄-C₁₈)-alkynylene, which groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁶ radicals, and in which 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-adjacent chain atoms are optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from NR¹⁷, O and S(O)_(n), with the proviso that said heteroatom is not the terminal atom of the Y moiety; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which cycloalkylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radicals; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which phenylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-heteroarylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which heteroarylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and oxo; or S, S₂, SO or SO₂; Y¹ is Y with the exclusion of S, S₂, SO or SO₂; or Y¹ is (C₁-C₆)-alkylene-CO—O—(C₁-C₆)-alkylene-O—CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkylene; X is O or S; R¹² is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; R¹³ is heterocycyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and oxo; R¹⁴ is (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, R¹² or R¹³; or is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; R¹⁵ is halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, (C₃-C₆)-alkenyloxy, (C₃-C₆) haloalkenyloxy, (C₃-C₆)-alkynyloxy, (C₃-C₆)-haloalkynyloxy, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(p)R²¹, CN, NO₂, OH, R¹², R¹³, COR¹⁹, NR¹⁹R²⁰, OR¹², OR¹³, CO₂H or CO₂R¹⁸; R¹⁶ is halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹², (CH₂)_(q)R¹³ or (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy; R¹⁷ is H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl; R¹⁸ is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl; R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₇)-haloalkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl; or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together with the attached N atom form a five- or six-membered saturated ring which optionally contains an additional hetero atom in the ring which is selected from O, S and N, the ring being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl and C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl; R²¹ is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹² or (CH₂)_(q)R¹³; Z is H, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹², COR¹⁸, CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or SO₂R¹⁸; Q is (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or CH₂R¹²; n, p, r and s are each independently zero, one or two; m, q, u and v are each independently zero or one; t is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and each heterocyclyl in the above-mentioned radicals is independently a heterocyclic radical having 3 to 7 ring atoms and 1, 2 or 3 hetero atoms in the ring selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; or a pesticidally acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound or a salt thereof as claimed in claim 1 wherein R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN.
 3. A compound or a salt thereof as claimed in claim 1 wherein W and W₁ are each C—Cl.
 4. A compound or a salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, wherein: R¹ and R^(1a) are each CN; W is and W₁ are each C-halogen; R² and R^(2a) are each Cl; R³, R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a) are each CF₃; A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹, or a formula (F):

M is Y, CO—Y¹—CO, CO—O—Y¹—O—CO, CO—CO, C(═X), S, S₂, SO or SO₂; R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently H, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, CO₂—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, CO₂—(C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, CO₂—(C₂-C₆}-alkynyl, CO₂—(CH₂)_(m)R¹², CHO, CO—(C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, COR¹², COR¹³, SO₂R¹⁴, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or CO—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last two mentioned groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; R^(8a) and R^(9a) are each independently H, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which last mentioned group is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; Y and Y¹ are each independently C₁-C₁₈)-alkylene or (C₄-C₁₈)-alkenylene, which groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁶ radicals, and in which 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-adjacent chain atoms are optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from NR¹⁷, and O and S(O)_(n), with the proviso that said heteroatom is not the terminal atom of the Y moiety; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-(C₁-C₇)-cycloalkylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which cycloalkylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radicals; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-phenylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which phenylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; or [(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(u)-heteroarylene-[(C₁-C₃)-alkylene]_(v), which heteroarylene portion is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, NO₂CN, CO₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and oxo; X is O; R¹² is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy CN, NO₂, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸ and NR¹⁹R²⁰; R¹³ is heterocyclyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, NO₂, CN, CO₂(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, S(O)_(p)R¹⁸, OH and oxo; R¹⁴ is (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₃)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₃)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₃)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₃)-haloalkynyl, R¹² or R¹³; or is (C₁-C₃)-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more R¹⁵ radicals; R¹⁵ is halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkoxy, (C₃-C₄)-alkenyloxy, (C₃-C₄)-haloalkenyloxy, (C₃-C₄)-alkynyloxy, (C₃-C₄)-haloalkynyloxy, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(p)R²¹, CN, NO₂, OH, R¹², R¹³, COR¹⁹, NR¹⁹R²⁰, OR¹², OR¹³, CO₂H or CO₂R¹⁸; R¹⁶ is halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₄)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₄)-haloalkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (CH₂)_(q)R¹², (CH₂)_(q)R¹³ or (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy; R¹⁷ is H or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl; R¹⁸ and R²¹ are each independently (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl; and R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently H, (C₁-C₃-alkyl, (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₄)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₄)-haloalkenyl, (C₃-C₄)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₃)-alkyl; or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together with the attached N atom form a five- or six-membered saturated ring which optionally contains an additional hetero atom in the ring which is selected from O, S and N, the ring being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl and (C₁-C₃)-haloalkyl.
 5. A compound or a salt thereof as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each pair of corresponding substituents R¹ and R^(1a), R² and R^(2a), R³ and R^(3a), R⁴ and R^(4a), W and W₁ and n and s has the same value.
 6. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (1) or a salt thereof as defined in claim 1, which process comprises: a) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting a compound of formula (II):

 wherein R¹ is CN, CH₃ or CF₃ and the other values are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (III): L-CO—O—Y¹—O—CO-L  (III)  wherein Y¹ is as defined in claim 1 and L is a leaving group; or b) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—O—Y¹—O—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting a compound of formula (II) above with a compound of formula (IV): HO—Y¹—O—H  (IV)  wherein Y¹ is as defined in claim 1, in the presence of phosgene, and a base; or c) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—Y¹—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined above, with a compound of formula (V): L¹-CO—Y¹—CO-L¹  (V)  wherein Y¹ is as defined in claim 1 and L¹ is a leaving group; or d) where R¹ is R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR⁸—Y—NR⁹ or a formula (F), and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting a compound of formula (VI);

 wherein L² is a leaving group and the other values are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (VII) or (VIII): HNR⁸—Y—NHR⁹  (VII)

 wherein the various values are as defined in claim 1; or e) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is a formula (F), M is C(═X) and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting a compound of formula (IX):

 wherein the various values are as defined in claim 1, with phosgene or thiophosgene, in the presence of a base; or f) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN CH₃ or CF₃, A is a formula (E) and the other values are as defined in claim 1; reacting a corresponding compound of formula (I) in which A is NHCH₂CH₂NH and the other values are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (X): L³-CO—(CH₂)_(t)—CO-L³  (X)  wherein L³ is a leaving group and t is as defined in claim 1; or g) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH³ or CF₃, A is NR^(8a)—CO—CO—NR^(9a) and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined above, with a compound of formula (XIII): L⁵-CO—CO-L⁵  (XIII)  wherein L⁵ is a leaving group; or h) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, A is NR⁸—CH₂—NR⁹, and R⁸, R⁹ and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting a compound of formula (XII) as defined above, with formaldehyde or its oligomers, in the presence of an acid; or i) where one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CSNH₂, and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CN, with an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydrosulfide, or with H₂S in the presence of an organic base, or with the reagent Ph₂PS₂; or j) where one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CSNH₂, and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CN, with a bis(trialkylsilyl)sulfide in the presence of a base; or k) where one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is C(═N—H)—S-Q, and the other values are as defined in claim 1, reacting the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is CSNH₂ with an alkylating agent of formula (XIV) or (XV): Q-L⁵  (XIV) Q₃O⁺BF₄ ⁻  (XV)  where Q is as defined in claim 1 and L⁵ is a leaving group; or l) where one or both of R¹ and R^(1a) is C(═N-Z)-S-Q, Z is as defined in claim 1 with the exclusion of H, and the other values are as defined in claim 1, alkylating, acylating or sulfonylating the corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein Z is H, with a compound of formula (XVI): Z-L⁶  (XVI)  wherein Z is as defined in claim 1 with the exclusion of H, and L⁶ is a leaving group; or m) where R¹ and R^(1a) are each independently CN, CH₃ or CF₃, n and/or s is 1 or 2, and the other values are as defined in claim 1, oxidising the corresponding compound in which n and/or s is 0 or 1; and n) if desired, converting a respecting compound of formula (I) into a pesticidally acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A pesticidal composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or a pesticidally acceptable salt thereof as defined in claim 1, in association with a pesticidally acceptable diluent or carrier and/or surface active agent.
 8. A method for controlling pests selected from the group consisting of insects, arachnids, nematodes, helminths, and animal parasites at a locus which comprises applying thereto an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof as claimed in claim
 1. 